Review of Casino (1995) by Eli T — 14 Mar 2013

Another Scorsese masterpiece. Ultra-romanticized and kinetic, the film follows the luxurious lives of gangsters and their inevitable downfall, calling to mind Goodfellas. Of course, nothing will ever top the latter, but Casino easily holds its own as one of the director's best.

Robert De Niro and Joe Pesci are a dream together, as Scorsese clearly knows, and every bit of dialogue and every scene appear to be written exactly for them. One might experience a kind of delirious joy at seeing how good this movie actually is, and in traditional vein, portraying the glamorous and dirty lives of the mob.

Furiously profane, multi-narrational, and featuring plenty of gloriously gritty violence, Casino fulfills all expectations and somehow surpasses them. Those who enjoyed Goodfellas will find much to love here.

Scorsese holds incredible talent for directing epics with themes of greed, deception, and power; a sort of modern-day Coppola. Casino is brilliantly inky and lurid, boasts an incredible cast, and astounds at every turn.

The 3 hour watch literally flies by as the viewer is captivated by the phenomenal performances. A gorgeously cinematized, wholly arresting piece of cinema. Scorsese never disappoints.