Tom McCarthy isn’t one to be pigeon-holed. He’s an actor who has appeared in numerous films and TV shows; he’s a writer with four screenplays under his belt (one of which was a writers credit for Disney’s Up; and he’s a director, of which Win,Win is his third feature.

Maybe it’s because he’s got so many things on the go, but as far as his directing career is concerned, he’s in no real hurry to produce film after film. His first was 2003’s The Station Agent; next came The Visitor in 2007 and now this. What it means in all cases is that he can focus purely on producing an intimate body of work on the indie scene. Win, Win is certainly an excellent example of that.

Mike Flaherty (Paul Giamatti) is a law attorney and a father of two, and in his spare time is a wrestling coach for a local high school. Like most, he is beginning to feel the pinch financially. With his office boiler threatening to explode at any time, Mike starts to believe that drastic times may well make him resort to one drastic measure.

When he learns that Leo (Burt Young) an elderly client of his, pays a tidy sum to whoever looks after him, Mike informs the court that he’s prepared to become his client’s legal guardian. Instead of looking after him though, Mike puts Leo in a local care home and pockets the change from the monthly checks.

Although far from being the crime of the century, things get a little bit more complicated when Leo’s grandson Kyle (Alex Shaffer) turns up. He’s hoping to spend some time with his estranged gramps, in an effort to keep away from his drug-addicted mother. Feeling more than a wave of guilt, Mike invites Kyle to stay at his home until they can sort things out.

When Mike brings Kyle along to his wrestling practice, he gets Kyle to join in. Turns out he’s pretty good at wrestling; certainly better than anyone else on his team. With a little more digging Mike learns that Kyle has wrestled before, at a high State level.

Getting him on the team is one thing, but Mike’s plans turn awry with the arrival of Kyle’s mom/Leo’s daughter. With her on the scene, sniffing around to see how she can get her hands on her dad’s money, Mike’s grip on the whole situation looks increasingly shaky.

Now just imagine my fists are glowing orbs of amazing energy. Can you see them? Glowing? Please say that you can.

Compared to his other two films, McCarthy has written are far more upbeat and comedic piece here. What he hasn’t done however is gone the mainstream route, as Win, Win embodies the spirit of an Indie flick on every level.

There’s something admiringly low-key about the performances; particularly from someone like Jeffrey Tambor, who plays assistant coach Vigman, who knows a thing or two about show-boating. Giamatti gives yet another solid and credible turn as Mike; he conveys his character’s wrong-doing note perfect, as well as the pit of guilt that grows in the very heart of him thereon in. And the young Shaffer does well on his acting debut, after being discovered as a nationally ranked wrestler in real life.

Although the lightness of touch is a welcome one, the story itself runs a rather too predictable course. It could certainly have benefitted from the odd curveball, or whatever the wrestling equivalent is. Even with its Indie sensibility, The Mighty Ducks-esque storyline (awful wrestling team comes good) feels awkwardly out of place and pace with the rest of the film.

Despite its story letting the side down, Win,Win scores big points for letting a decent cast flex their considerable muscle with great skill. It may not win any prizes, but deserves plaudits for a brave attempt.