CASINO

US, 1995, 178 minutes, Colour.
Robert De Niro, Sharon Stone, Joe Pesci, James Woods, Don Rickles, Alan King, Kevin Pollak, L.Q. Jones, Dick Smothers, Frank Vincent.
Directed by Martin Scorsese.

Martin Scorsese has had an interest in American gangsters since his earliest films, including Whose Knocking at my Door, Mean Streets – and then over 30 years or more with Goodfellas, Casino, Gangs of New York, The Departed. He directed Robert De Niro to an Oscar in Raging Will, and Joe Pesci to an Oscar for Goodfellas.

While there are some scenes in Boston (as in The Departed), most of the action takes place in Las Vegas, the early years, the developments, the rapid increase in casinos, the skimming of money for gangsters in other cities, the managers and those who ran the casinos.

Robert De Niro portrays the manager of a casino, his reliance on his personnel, including Don Rickles as his assistant. And he falls in love with a smart, sexy hustler, played by Sharon Stone whom he marries, but the marriage breaks down, she previously being interested in gambler played James Woods. The other central character, sent in from Boston, is played by Joe Pesci. there is the counterpoint of two voice-overs, one from De Niro, one from Pesci, which offer different perspectives on the action and the characters.

Some consider that this is Scorsese’s best gangster picture – but when one thinks of Goodfellas, Gangs of New York and The Departed, there is strong competition.

1. Martin Scorsese and his gangster films? His expertise? Over many decades?

2. Las Vegas, the casinos, the period, costumes and decor, settings, musical score?

3. The opening, the explosion, Sam’s description, the visuals, and Sam Rothstein’s survival?

4. The two voice-overs, Sam and Nicky, the contrasting points of view?

5. Sam, his nickname of Ace? His character, age, the steps of his career, his role as manager, and reporting to the board, his relationship with the personnel, his reliance on Billy Sherbert? The details of the casino’s life and responsibilities, day by day? The clientele? The gangster connections? The money going to Boston?

6. Nicky, his background, going to Las Vegas, his wife, family, the different jobs? The counting room, the skimming? The helpers? His reliance on Frank? Sending the money to Boston, the visits to Boston? The groups and their demands? The money, the decrease, suspicions?

7. Ginger, the casino, smart, relying on her sexual charm, her fashions, the hustle and the responses? The relationship with Lester, a possible life with him? Ace and the attraction, the response, the marriage, some reluctance, her pregnancy, the child? The financial arrangements? Her account? Her wanting her independence, the dependence on Ace, getting the money for Lester? Ace and his despising Lester, the violence?

8. Ace, his love, giving so much to Ginger, demands, accountability? His manner, her effect on him, his effect on her?

9. The years passing, the two different points of view? The emotional ups and downs in the marriage? Ginger and her drinking? The relationship with the child? Ace and his devotion? Her erratic behaviour, beginning the relationship with Nick, hiding, the development of the relationship?

10. Nick, his relationship with Ginger, his job, the connections with Boston?

11. Ace, his confidence, the reaction from Boston, the bosses? Sending the representatives from Boston? The meetings, the bomb?

12. Perhaps the role of Frank, at the service of Nicky, the Boston bosses, his betrayal and death?

13. The role of the police, in league with the Boston gangsters?

14. The portrait of gangsters, money, power, relationships?

15. Martin Scorsese and the acclaim for his films?