A classic in every sense of the word Casino is one of the best films ever made. Robert De Niro and Sharon Stone give superb performances in this gangster drama that shows the downfall of mob ties and the lust for money. It is a complex movie that has lots of captivating themes and characters. Joe Pesci’s character of Nicky is probably better than his work in Goodfellas and shows how greed can ruin people’s lives.
Casino is not a film for the faint of heart because it is filled with violence, treachery and avarice. But even those who dislike the subject matter can still appreciate how well this movie is done. Unlike some other mafia films like Goodfellas and Mean Streets that focus on the blue-collar gangsters Casino is about the men who control those guys. It also tells the story of Las Vegas and how it has changed from being a place where mobster families like Ace, Ginger and Nicky thrived to being a place where big gambling corporations dominate.
The film is also fascinating in how it shows the power of manipulation. Casinos use a variety of tricks to keep people coming back. They even have special scents that are wafted into the air to create a manufactured sense of bliss. In addition, they often make near-misses seem more appealing than a true win. These tricks, combined with the dazzling lights and cheerful music of slot machines, can create a false sense of happiness that can lure gamblers into losing more money than they can afford to lose.