Today’s quick review: Casino. Sam “Ace” Rothstein (Robert De Niro) is a successful gambler with a knack for picking odds. When the mob notices his skills, they entrust him with running the Tangiers Casino in Las Vegas. They also send his childhood friend Nicky Santoro (Joe Pesci) out to Las Vegas to act as Rothstein’s muscle. But when Santoro decides to set up his own criminal operation, his actions threaten to send the situation spiraling out of control.
Casino is a Las Vegas crime drama from director Martin Scorsese that follows the rise and fall of Sam Rothstein and Nicky Santoro. Rothstein is effective at his job, but his attempts at legitimacy are damaged by his connection to Santoro. Santoro sees Las Vegas as a city ripe for the taking, but the same recklessness that makes him powerful causes him to make mistakes. The relationship between the two men is strained as their respective goals begin to conflict.
Casino is a movie with excellent writing, acting, and craftsmanship. Rothstein and Santoro are both compelling characters, with interesting actions, motivations, and troubles. The film is narrated jointly by De Niro and Pesci, explaining the situation and bridging the film’s many time jumps. The film’s capable writing combined with the acting talents of De Niro and Pesci keep the narration engaging.
The trouble with this format is that the film tells as much as it shows. The narration tapers off two-thirds of the way through the film as the plot begins to move under its own power, but much of the plot in the meantime feels like setup. In a film of nearly three hours, the slow buildup is justifiable but not necessarily welcome. The film’s omnipresent soundtrack makes Casino feel even longer, with over 50 songs crammed into the movie back-to-back.
Watch Casino if you are looking for a well-crafted crime drama with high production values. The format of the film may or may not be to your taste, but the components of the film, its acting, writing, and direction, are all sound. A couple of flaws in pacing, plotting, and soundtrack use keep Casino from being an unequivocal hit, but it is a strong choice regardless.
Skip it if you are looking for a tidy story. Watch Scarface instead if you want a success story with a bit more crime. Watch The Wolf of Wall Street if you want a success story with a bit more comedy.
8.2 out of 10 on IMDB. I give it a 7.5 for high quality with a few issues.