Casino (1995)
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A gambling expert is hired by the Chicago Outfit to oversee a Las Vegas casino, only to find himself entangled in the dangerous world of the Mafia.
The story
In 1973, sports handicapper Sam "Ace" Rothstein is sent by the Chicago Mafia to Las Vegas to run the Tangiers Casino, with his childhood friend Nicky Santoro assigned to protect him and the operation. Ace successfully doubles the casino's profits, but the arrangement involves a portion of the earnings being skimmed for the Midwest Mafia bosses. While Ace manages the complexities of the casino's operations, Nicky's involvement in the criminal underworld begins to draw unwanted attention from the media and law enforcement. Amidst the shifting landscape of Las Vegas, Ace must navigate the growing tensions between his professional responsibilities, his personal relationships, and the escalating risks posed by the Mafia's presence.
Full plot (contains spoilers)
In 1973, Sam "Ace" Rothstein is sent by the Chicago Mafia to run the Tangiers Casino in Las Vegas. He succeeds in doubling profits, but the operation is complicated by the skimming of funds for the Mafia. His friend Nicky Santoro, a 'made man,' manages the security but begins engaging in reckless criminal activities like extortion and burglary, drawing police scrutiny. Ace falls in love with and marries Ginger McKenna, a con artist, but their marriage is strained by her drug addiction and her ties to a pimp. In 1976, a dispute over a fired employee leads to a licensing hearing where Ace's public defiance draws unwanted attention. By 1980, the relationship between Ace and Ginger collapses further when she is caught plotting to flee with her lover. In 1982, the FBI discovers the skimming operation and shuts down the Tangiers. The Midwest bosses, fearing prosecution, order the deaths of everyone involved. Ginger dies of a drug overdose in 1983, and Ace survives a car bomb. In 1986, the Mafia disposes of Nicky and his brother. As large corporations push the Mafia out of the casino industry, Ace is spared and moves to San Diego to return to his life as a sports handicapper.
- First release year
- 1995
- Runtime (minutes)
- 178
- Production countries
- United States; France
- Original languages
- English
- Directors
- Martin Scorsese
- Genres
- epic; gangster; crime; drama
- Themes
- organized crime; addiction; betrayal; the evolution of Las Vegas
- Tone and mood
- epic; tense; gritty
- Premise and plot tags
- true story; mafia; gambling; biographical
- Source material / true-story basis
- Casino: Love and Honor in Las Vegas by Nicholas Pileggi
- Content notes
- violence
- Reception
- The film received a mostly positive critical reception and was a worldwide box office success.
- Reported review scores
- Rotten Tomatoes · score: 79% · scale: percentage · review count: 77; Metacritic · score: 73 · scale: 100 · review count: 17
- Awards and nominations
- Golden Globe Award · Best Actress in a Motion Picture – Drama · win; Academy Award · Best Actress · nomination
- Production trivia
- The film was the eighth collaboration between director Martin Scorsese and actor Robert De Niro.; The opening scene's explosion was shot three times before the third take was used.
Film metadata comes from the open sources listed in Credits & Contact. Catalogue details may be incomplete.
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