Casino is about people who love to gamble, but often get caught up in the game’s dark side. The movie shows that when greed and lust come together, they can be a dangerous combination. Gambling has been part of human culture for millennia. Evidence of dice has been found dating back to 2300 BC, and playing cards were first recorded in 800 AD. The games have evolved, but the basic idea remains the same. A small stakes bet with a friendly bookie or large bets in a casino are all just ways to gamble and try to win money.
Martin Scorsese has made many films with a similar theme, but it’s in Casino that the story really comes together. The film focuses on Sam “Ace” Rothstein (Robert De Niro), the owner of the Tangiers hotel in Las Vegas. Rothstein is backed by the mob, but runs his own gambling rackets behind the scenes. He’s a master sports bettor, but also is a high-roller who knows when to bet and when to fold.
In the opening scene, the film begins with fast cuts and stylized documentary-like footage to give a look at how casinos work. It’s here that the movie resembles other mob movies, but it quickly moves away from this style. The narration also becomes less prominent as the film progresses, but it’s never completely removed from the film.
Scorsese uses his characters to make a point about gambling and the nature of the criminal lifestyle. He doesn’t have a moralizing message like Goodfellas, but he does show that these men are capable of great evil and destruction. He also shows that the mob is not an infallible force, even if its members are ruthless and corrupt.
While the story of this gangster movie centers on its main players, it’s really the supporting cast that makes Casino stand out. Robert De Niro and Joe Pesci are excellent in their roles. The pair share great chemistry and their dynamic changes throughout the film. Unlike in Goodfellas, where much of the comedy comes from their repartee, the relationship in Casino feels more real. The two actors also play their characters with more depth and emotion.
The real star of the movie is Sharon Stone, however. The actress hasn’t been better since Basic Instinct. She’s a sexy, catty character who is at once seductive and shrewd. Her ability to control and manipulate men is evident in the way she controls her own life as well.
The other big plus to this film is the level of detail that Scorsese adds to his picture. He has a knack for picking out little details that feel right. For example, in one scene, he has a casino cook order his employees to put “exactly the same amount of blueberries in every muffin.” It’s these kinds of moments that bring Casino to life and help it feel authentic. It’s a great piece of entertainment that deserves more recognition than it has received.