“My name is Jack Abramoff, and I work out every day.” —Jack
Today’s quick review: Casino Jack. Jack Abramoff (Kevin Spacey), a shady Washington lobbyist, and his partner Mike Scanlon (Barry Pepper) hatch a scheme to make a fortune by overcharging an American Indian tribe for their services, then funneling the proceeds into a struggling Florida casino business. But when Jack and Mike push their luck too far, their multi-million dollar plan turns into a scandal that could cost them their careers or worse.
Casino Jack is a white-collar crime comedy about a corrupt lobbyist who exploits his clients for personal gain. The movie is a portrait of Jack Abramoff, from his political wheelings and dealings to his personal ambitions and failings. As a biographical piece, Casino Jack is modestly successful, thanks largely to the talents of Kevin Spacey. However, the movie is on shakier ground when it comes to its plot, its supporting cast, and its comedy.
Casino Jack’s best aspect is Kevin Spacey as Jack Abramoff. Spacey portrays him as shallow, egotistical, and not nearly as clever as he thinks. Even so, Jack falls well short of the mark when it comes to criminal protagonists. His charisma is deliberately superficial, and what humor can be derived from his phoniness quickly wears thin. Jack is also short on redeeming qualities, so when the mask slips, he comes across as pathetic rather than sympathetic.
Beyond its lead, Casino Jack is a mediocre watch. The plot involves Jack’s plan to defraud one casino to invest in another, but there’s no real trajectory to it, just the gradual unraveling of a plan that wasn’t that sound to begin with. There’s little of the conspicuous consumption seen in other crime movies, just a few pet investments for Jack. The humor itself is subdued, mainly playing on Jack’s character and the corruption in Washington.
Casino Jack is only worth a watch if you’re a Kevin Spacey fan who enjoys political commentary for its own sake. Its execution is enough to make it a decent watch, but it is outclassed when it comes to actual comedy, leaving it only a half-decent lead character and a wry take on the political process to set it apart. Most viewers would be better off with The Wolf of Wall Street, Margin Call, The Big Short, or even The Informant!.
6.2 out of 10 on IMDB. I give it a 6.0 for a somewhat interesting lead coupled with a dull story and little real humor.