Casino is one of the most acclaimed crime dramas of all time, and with good reason. The film takes the basic formula established in Goodfellas and lays it out at an epic scale, telling the story of those who controlled the blue-collar gangsters and then watched them fall from grace due to greed, lust, and hubris. It’s an astonishing picture of destruction and betrayal, a true cinematic masterwork.
The film is based on a nonfiction book by Nicholas Pileggi, who co-wrote the screenplay with Martin Scorsese. It reveals an intricate web of corruption that took root in Las Vegas, with tentacles reaching into politicians, unions, the mob, and even the Teamsters. The movie is a fascinating look at how organized crime lost control of a city that once minted billions in gambling profits.
In addition to the usual suspects in a cast of top-notch actors, the film features a great performance by James Woods as Sam Giancano’s henchman Lester. While this may be Woods’ only work with Scorsese, he makes the most of his limited screen time. He manages to portray a slimy, but not necessarily evil character who is a welcome relief from the typical henchmen seen in other movies.
Unlike other crime dramas, Casino focuses on the lives of real people. It’s also an in-depth look at the business side of casinos, with the movie showing how gamblers can lose money to the point of ruin. It also explores the ways that casinos try to entice players to gamble by offering promotions like free chips or loyalty rewards.
Most casinos are deliberately designed to be labyrinthine, with no clear walkways from one section to the next. This way, gamblers can get lost in the crowds, allowing them to forget how much they’ve spent and perhaps prevent them from feeling as guilty about their losses as they would if they were spending actual cash. The fact that many games use colored discs to represent money instead of cash is another way that casinos decouple gambling from actual money.
While it’s not up to the level of Scorsese’s best work, including Taxi Driver and Raging Bull, Casino is still a must-see for fans of crime dramas. It demonstrates his incredible ability to capture the essence of the city that never sleeps, with shots of neon signs and opulent rooms juxtaposed against scenes of violence and treachery. He also shows off his impressive command of camera movement, angles, and framing, making the film move along like a freight train without slowing down or losing steam.
The performances by Robert De Niro and Sharon Stone are also superb. While this is a story of corruption and betrayal, it’s also a tale of long-time friendships and the betrayals that come with them. The characters are mired in avarice and betrayal, but it’s hard not to feel sorry for them when they finally get their comeuppance. This is a classic movie that will remain relevant in years to come.