Casino is a film about luck, and it’s not as simple as it might seem. Sometimes a person will be insanely lucky and it might change their life, but in most cases luck is just part of the game. The movie also talks about how a person can get into trouble by gambling too much or by using money they don’t have.
The story is set during the era of casino takeovers by the mob in Las Vegas. Robert De Niro plays Ace Rothstein, a smart bookie who manages to get the Tangiers casino under his control. His friendship with loose-cannon hood Nicky Santoro (Joe Pesci) leads to many complications. The story is filled with bravura set pieces, but it never feels overblown or glitzy. Instead, the movie has a sense of ruefulness that conveys the decline of old-style mafia machinations.
It’s an epic and it speaks even to people who don’t like mafia movies. It’s a story about power and loyalty and about betrayal and it is very complex. The film is well-acted and it shows the good and bad sides of these characters.
I also love the way Scorcese frames his scenes. The lighting is often dim and warm, reminiscent of a living room. This creates a relaxed atmosphere that is conducive to gambling. The music is also appropriate, blending in with the action and creating a mood. And of course there’s the editing which is flawless.