Casino – The Story Behind Las Vegas

I have to admit my bias, because I believe that Scorsese cannot do wrong—ever. Even his lesser-known or critically panned films are above the "great film" line, and Casino is certainly no exception. He created a dynamic, slick, spectacular movie with the aid of avid camera angles and his well-known style.

The History of Las Vegas Casinos

Casino spans three decades and chronicles the true story of a faction of the mob who ran Las Vegas casinos. Robert De Niro plays Ace Rothstein, a fantastic bookie who is chosen to run the Tangiers hotel and casino. Along the way, he marries a drug-addicted con-artist trophy wife and struggles with his friendship with loose-cannon Nicky Santoro. Rothstein is a complicated figure in that he is not a heavy, yet he wields a lot of power due to the respect he has gained from his mob bosses back home.

Character Analysis

Robert De Niro and Joe Pesci are both fantastic in their roles. Robert De Niro demonstrates he's one of the most versatile actors in modern film history. His display of different emotions, courage, and temper is outstanding. His character required plenty of temper. Joe Pesci once again shows his incredible talent while portraying mobsters who think with their guns and not with their heads. Sharon Stone actually turned out a non-irritating performance. As the viewer, you can't stand her, but that is the point. The film’s ability to elicit strong emotional responses to its characters is a testament to Scorsese's directing prowess.

Personal Connection and Cultural Context

As a lifelong gambler who has crossed paths with a few fringe types portrayed in the film, I'm well aware of the story, the culture, and the ambience of the Tangiers, the fictional casino placed in the control of Sam "Ace" Rothstein (Robert De Niro). Rothstein is not only a mob member, but also a "moneymaker" for them because he's the nation's best sports handicapper. It was refreshing for a movie to finally show that not all gamblers are foolish, but instead one of those who takes advantage of the many who are.

Supporting Cast and Realism

Rothstein's partner in crime is Nicky Santoro (Joe Pesci), who is far less convincing as a mobster than he would seem to like to believe. Sharon Stone plays the psychotic Ginger, a once-in-a-lifetime role in that it was the only time in my life I could bear to watch her on film. The supporting cast is strong, led by James Woods and Don Rickles, who is excellent in his dramatic capacity. Scorsese's normal supporting cast is also involved in this film, including his great mother—even though she usually has incredibly minimal roles, they are always memorable.

Historical Accuracy and Societal Reflection

If you are a gambler or know the "wiseguy" culture, the movie doesn't have to be explained, while if you aren't, you'll feel like you've stumbled upon the secret meeting place of the mafia and made privy to what is said, without anyone knowing you were there. This film is based on the true story of what happened when the mob tried to put its men in suits and have them heading a casino, and why it has never been tried since. The homage paid to the incestuous nature of Nevada politics was an excellent touch.

Conclusion

Most of us wouldn't like a guy like Sam Rothstein, nor would we like to be him, but if we go to Vegas for a weekend and stay at a casino/hotel, we'll have a better experience if his watchful eye is ensuring that our stay is a pleasant one. The film's nod to how Vegas has been sanitized since those days is also accurate, and reflects sadness at a lost era, where the baby (the "old school" types who made Vegas great) was thrown out with the bathwater (the organized crime influences). Scorsese seems to have several different directing styles, and Casino follows in the tradition of Goodfellas as a pseudo-documentary. A lot of the exposition is revealed by the characters themselves in the form of voice-overs, and several scenes are filmed in documentarian fashion. The entire production, however, is sleek and very quick. The use of music bears mentioning as well: Most Martin Scorsese films have an amazing soundtrack that adds to and enhances the scene. Being a child of the MTV age, I'm a sucker for good uses of music in films and Scorsese is a master. Scorsese doesn't just utilize the soundtrack, he makes it part of the storytelling—by the music, we chronologically know what time period we are witnessing, since one cannot rely on other factors, such as fashion alone. One of my favorite scenes in film which effectively involves music is actually from Casino—the very intense scene when the relationship between De Niro, Stone, and Pesci comes to a head in the climax of the film. The pounding music cut throughout this scene is a cover of "Satisfaction" by Devo and the result is absolutely brilliant.

Final Thoughts

Being a complete film geek, I generally don't go to films that feature certain stars; I go to films by certain directors, and Scorsese is one of them. While this was probably the tenth time I'd seen this film, there were more things I noticed, and I'm sure I'll notice more upon my eleventh viewing. The man is a complete genius and a gift to film. My suggestion is to watch some of his films, then check out his unbelievable series, A Personal Journey with Martin Scorsese through American Movies, which was done the same year as Casino. The series is essentially a primer on the history of film, sectioned off by film genres. You not only will experience his amazing intellect and massive knowledge of film history, but his incredible humility as well.

References

• Scorsese, M. (Director). (1995). Casino [Film]. Universal Pictures.
• Thompson, H. S. (1995). Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas: A Savage Journey to the Heart of the American Dream. Vintage.
• Ebert, R. (1995, November 22). Casino movie review & film summary (1995). RogerEbert.com. Retrieved from https://www.rogerebert.com/reviews/casino-1995