Casino
Casino

Movie spotlight

Casino

1980
Movie
96 min
English

Mike Connors is a suave gambler who owns a floating hotel/casino which takes a turn when the passengers are stalked by a saboteur during the casino ship's maiden voyage.

Insights

IMDb8.2/10
Rotten Tomatoes79%
Metacritic73/100
Google Users86%
Director: Martin ScorseseGenres: Crime, Drama

Plot Summary

In 1970s Las Vegas, a Jewish-American mobster and casino executive, Sam 'Ace' Rothstein, navigates the dangerous world of organized crime's influence over the gambling mecca. His meticulously controlled empire begins to unravel as his volatile enforcer, Nicky Santoro, and his ambitious, troubled wife, Ginger McKenna, spiral into addiction and betrayal, ultimately leading to a brutal downfall. The film chronicles the rise and fall of Ace's Vegas empire, exposing the corruption, violence, and personal ruin that come with unchecked greed and power.

Critical Reception

Casino was a critical and commercial success, praised for its masterful direction, intense performances, and unflinching portrayal of the mob's control over Las Vegas. Critics lauded Martin Scorsese's return to the crime genre, drawing parallels to his earlier work like Goodfellas. Sharon Stone received particular acclaim for her transformative performance as Ginger McKenna, earning her a Golden Globe Award and an Academy Award nomination. The film's epic scope, graphic violence, and detailed depiction of the casino industry were widely discussed, solidifying its place as a modern crime classic.

What Reviewers Say

  • A sprawling, violent, and dazzlingly detailed epic of mob rule in Las Vegas.

  • Scorsese's direction and the powerhouse performances, especially from De Niro, Stone, and Pesci, are highlights.

  • While brutal and lengthy, the film offers a compelling, if bleak, look at greed and corruption.

Google audience: Google users overwhelmingly praise 'Casino' for its gripping storyline, exceptional acting from the lead trio, and Scorsese's signature directorial style. Many appreciate the detailed immersion into the world of Las Vegas casinos and the mob, while some find the excessive violence and length to be drawbacks.

Awards & Accolades

Sharon Stone received a Golden Globe Award for Best Actress - Motion Picture Drama and was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Actress. The film received numerous other nominations and awards from various critics' circles and guilds.

Fun Fact

The story of 'Casino' is based on the real-life experiences of Frank Rosenthal, who was involved in the day-to-day operations of several casinos in Las Vegas during the 1970s and 1980s, and his tumultuous relationship with showgirl Geri McGee (Ginger McKenna) and mob enforcer Anthony Spilotro (Nicky Santoro).

AI-generated overview · Verify ratings on official sources

My Review