Casino (Movie Review)

Casino

From the glitz of Las Vegas to illegal pai gow parlors in New York’s Chinatown, casinos attract millions of people who gamble and socialize together. In addition to being a form of entertainment, gambling is a way for some individuals to relieve stress. Often, casino visitors must master complicated strategies to win games like blackjack and poker. Because of the large amounts of money that are handled in a casino, both patrons and employees may be tempted to cheat or steal—either in collusion with each other or independently. That’s why casinos spend a lot of time, effort and money on security.

The enigmatic world of Casino’s main character, Ace Rothstein (Robert De Niro), is a world where love and trust are dicey propositions. As a result, most casino employees are indifferent or even hostile to their clients. This worldview is reflected in the movie’s music and lighting, which accentuate the tension between the casino and its clientele.

The movie is also a showcase for Sharon Stone’s finest performance. She outshines the talented cast of supporting actors that includes James Woods and Vinny Vella. However, it is the combination of all of these factors that makes Casino one of the most influential movies of the 1980s.