After the megahit Goodfellas, Martin Scorsese took on another slice of mafia history with Casino. Starring Robert De Niro and Joe Pesci, the film delved deeper into organized crime by focusing on a casino executive and his mob partners. It also offered a glimpse into the darker side of gambling, which can lead to drug addiction and other negative outcomes.
In the film, Sam “Ace” Rothstein (De Niro) believes that gambling is not just a fun way to pass time. He believes it is a business, and he knows how to make money at it. He is a master at skimming from the table games, the slot machines, and even the gift shop. He also knows how to bribe high rollers with free spectacular entertainment, luxury transportation, and elegant living quarters. In the end, he is able to turn over massive profits that would trump any mob’s annual take.
Although the movie is over three hours long, it never lags or runs out of steam. The editing is taut and the narration is quick. Moreover, the use of music is amazing. It adds a lot to the film. In addition, the performances by De Niro and Sharon Stone are outstanding. In fact, Stone’s performance is a career best. She is a femme fatale that any man would be tempted to tame. In the end, it is a powerful and compelling story of how gambling changed Las Vegas and how the mob lost control of it to huge corporations.