Review of Casino Jack (2010) by Nick D — 12 Nov 2010

Kevin Spacey demands your attention as Jack Abramoff, the nutso uber-lobbist who leveraged his cozy relationships with powerful Republicans into a very lucrative, if patently illegal, representation business.

Best known for how he took advantage of various Indian tribes whose gaming interests required influence in D.C., Jack also dabbled in off-shore gambling, his own (kosher) restaurants, a Hebrew school, and various other expressions of grandiosity and egomaniacal empire building.

The script hurtles along at a breakneck pace, leaving us gasping at one scene after another of utter manic craziness. How did he get away with all that, you wonder, until he doesn't. Ironically, the whole house of cards falls apart because of his business partners indiscreet love dalliances, which propelled his girlfriend to rat to the FBI.

Sweet revenge, and a sweet movie. Everyone loves a villain with a big heart and great patter, and Spacey, not especially kosher, pulls it off.