Review of Casino (1995) by Stuart K — 23 Apr 2012

Martin Scorsese reteamed with his Goodfellas co-writer Nicholas Pileggi, for this true life gangster drama based on the life of Frank Rosenthal, who ran 3 of the biggest casinos in Las Vegas in the 1970's and 80's.

Some might say it's Goodfellas in Vegas, but it isn't, it's about the absolute corruption of absolute power, and the downfall everyone faces with organised crime. It's a brilliant film with a great story, brilliant performances and great direction.

Sam "Ace" Rothstein (Robert De Niro) is a sports handicapper who has ties with the mob in Chicago, and he's asked to run the Tangiers casino in Las Vegas, and even skims off a little bit of the overhead profits which is then sent back to the mob.

Sam's best friend Nicky Santoro (Joe Pesci) is sent out to keep an eye on Sam, and protect him, but it's not long before Nicky's erratic, violent behaviour gets him banned from every casino in Las Vegas, so Nicky starts his own gang, and seeks vengeance on everyone who dares to say he's wrong.

Meanwhile, Sam falls for prostitute Ginger McKenna (Sharon Stone), whose excessive lifestyle soons leads to a major drink and drug addiction. This is a very compelling and exciting crime drama with a brilliant soundtrack throughout, great period set design by Dante Ferretti and clever camerawork by Robert Richardson, it's a very violent film, very confrontational but it has brilliant performances throughout, and Scorsese makes this a rich, excessive epic that's never boring to watch and always entertaining.