Poker is popular enough these days, but can its global appeal make an impression in the documentary world? No Limit: A Search for the American Dream on the Poker Tournament Trail aims to answer that question, for better or for worse. Our co-hosts are Susan and Tim, two business partners from opposite coasts; once involved romantically, the couple is now squarely focused on their struggling independent film company. Susan (who gets the lion's share of camera time) is a seasoned poker player, so they decide to go on a whirlwind tour of poker tournaments to score big bucks for their company. A camera crew---and the audience, of course---has been invited along for the ride, which shines a spotlight on the ups and downs of competitive gambling and its toll on their partnership.

Along the way, we also hear comments from a few success stories in the industry, including Barry Greenstein (who donates more than half of his tournament winnings to charity), Layne Flack (a former poker dealer and winner of two WSOP bracelets) and David "Devilfish" Ulliott (a cocky fellow who simply plays for the money and fame). These small slices of life are perhaps the film's greatest highlight---and ironically enough, No Limit only drags during certain portions of Susan and Tim's story. Her behavior is often self-centered and smarmy (in one sequence, she speaks at length with the babysitter on her cell phone during a contest), which makes Susan a hard protagonist to root for. A less self-indulgent approach would have made No Limit more of a balanced documentary than a quasi-vanity project.

As far as the film's promise to search for the American Dream...well, that's shoehorned in a bit forcefully. The phrase is tossed around quite often, as are half-baked thoughts like "poker is a metaphor for life"; since these philosophies could be applied to almost any trade or hobby, they come of as a bit generic and self-righteous. Still, you've got to give most of these competitors credit: theirs isn't exactly a way of life rooted in guaranteed success, so those who aren't risk-takers may enjoy seeing things from a different perspective. I'm admittedly not a lover of the game, but those who are---and those who enjoy unusual documentaries, of course---should find this one oddly entertaining, despite a few nagging flaws.

At its core, No Limit is a well-meaning and unconventional project that plays several of its cards right. Those who enjoy poker (professionally or just for fun) will probably get the most out of these proceedings, as the sights and sounds will be genuinely more close to home. Cambria Pictures' DVD package only offers a mild amount of support for the main feature, however: the technical presentation isn't half bad, though we don't get any bonus feature to chew on. Let's take a closer look, shall we?

Presented in its original 1.78:1 aspect ratio and enhanced for widescreen displays, No Limit looks decent for a low-budget documentary. The natural color palette is accurate and black levels are generally solid, though mild digital combing keeps this from scoring higher. Audio appears to be presented in a straightforward Dolby Digital 2.0 mix; dialogue is clearly recorded, though off-camera comments and quieter conversations often feature burned-in English subtitles. No other subtitles or Closed Captions are included during the main feature.

Almost strictly for gambling lovers only, No Limit: A Search for the American Dream on the Poker Tournament Trail details a unique journey told from the perspective of financially struggling filmmakers. Unfortunately, the execution of this project grows a bit tiresome in certain respects: at least one host proves to be slightly irritating, while the amount of dirty laundry aired rivals most reality TV shows. Still, it's hard to dismiss such a warts-and-all approach, especially since the filmmakers are clearly passionate and determined. The DVD package---despite boasting a decent technical presentation---offers limited replay value, a high price tag and no bonus material, so interested parties should consider No Limit more of a weekend candidate than a keeper. Rent It.