The Casino: A 1995 Classic That's Still Worth Watching

Robert De Niro, Sharon Stone, and Joe Pesci star in this epic crime drama about greed, power, and the American dream. Casino is a must-see for fans of the genre and a great way to spend a night.

Synopsis

Sam "Ace" Rothstein (De Niro) is a Jewish-American gambler and hustler who is sent to Las Vegas by the Chicago Outfit to oversee the operations of the Tangiers Casino. Ace is a skilled gambler and businessman, and he quickly turns the Tangiers into one of the most profitable casinos in Vegas. However, Ace's success also attracts the attention of the FBI and the Nevada Gaming Control Board.

Ginger McKenna (Stone) is a beautiful and ambitious showgirl who becomes Ace's wife. Ginger is drawn to Ace's power and wealth, but she is also aware of his dark side. As Ace's gambling addiction spirals out of control, Ginger begins to fear for her own safety.

Nicky Santoro (Pesci) is a ruthless enforcer who is sent to Las Vegas to protect Ace. Nicky is a violent and unpredictable man, and his presence only serves to increase the tension between Ace and Ginger.

Themes

Casino explores a number of themes, including:

• The American dream: Ace Rothstein is a self-made man who has achieved the American dream of wealth and success. However, his success is built on a foundation of crime and corruption.
• Greed: Ace's greed for money and power ultimately leads to his downfall. He is never satisfied with what he has, and he always wants more.
• Power: Ace's power corrupts him. He becomes arrogant and ruthless, and he is willing to do anything to maintain his control over the Tangiers Casino.
• Love: Ginger McKenna loves Ace, but she is also aware of his dark side. She tries to help him, but she is ultimately unable to save him from himself.

Characters

Sam "Ace" Rothstein (Robert De Niro)

Ace Rothstein is a complex and tragic character. He is a brilliant gambler and businessman, but he is also a flawed and self-destructive man. Ace's gambling addiction ultimately leads to his downfall, but he is also a victim of the ruthless world of Las Vegas.

Ginger McKenna (Sharon Stone)

Ginger McKenna is a beautiful and ambitious showgirl who becomes Ace's wife. Ginger is drawn to Ace's power and wealth, but she is also aware of his dark side. As Ace's gambling addiction spirals out of control, Ginger begins to fear for her own safety.

Nicky Santoro (Joe Pesci)

Nicky Santoro is a ruthless enforcer who is sent to Las Vegas to protect Ace. Nicky is a violent and unpredictable man, and his presence only serves to increase the tension between Ace and Ginger.

Production

Casino was directed by Martin Scorsese and written by Nicholas Pileggi. The film was shot on location in Las Vegas and Atlantic City. The film's budget was $40 million, and it grossed over $116 million worldwide.

Critical Reception

Casino received critical acclaim upon its release. The film was praised for its performances, direction, and screenplay. The film was nominated for eight Academy Awards, including Best Picture, Best Director, and Best Actor for De Niro.

Legacy

Casino is considered to be one of the greatest crime dramas ever made. The film is a powerful and unflinching look at the dark side of the American dream. The film's performances, direction, and screenplay are all top-notch, and the film is a must-see for fans of the genre.

Fun Facts

• Casino is based on the true story of Frank Rosenthal, a Jewish-American gambler who was sent to Las Vegas by the Chicago Outfit to oversee the operations of the Stardust Casino.
• Robert De Niro gained 25 pounds to play the role of Ace Rothstein.
• Sharon Stone's character, Ginger McKenna, is based on Frank Rosenthal's real-life wife, Geri McGee.
• Joe Pesci's character, Nicky Santoro, is based on Frank Rosenthal's real-life associate, Anthony Spilotro.
• The film's budget was $40 million, and it grossed over $116 million worldwide.

Why You Should Watch Casino

Casino is a classic crime drama that is still worth watching today. The film is a powerful and unflinching look at the dark side of the American dream. The performances, direction, and screenplay are all top-notch, and the film is a must-see for fans of the genre.

Where to Watch Casino

Casino is available to stream on Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, and Hulu.

Tips and Tricks

• If you're a fan of crime dramas, then you'll definitely want to check out Casino.
• The film is over three hours long, so make sure you have plenty of time to watch it.
• Pay attention to the details in the film. There are a lot of subtle clues that foreshadow the characters' fates.
• Don't be afraid to do some research on the real-life events that inspired the film. It will help you to appreciate the film even more.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

• Don't try to watch Casino in one sitting. The film is over three hours long, and it can be a lot to take in all at once.
• Don't skip any of the scenes. Each scene is important to the story, and you'll miss out on important details if you skip ahead.
• Don't be afraid to ask questions. If you don't understand something, don't be afraid to ask for help.

Why Casino Matters

Casino is a classic crime drama that is still relevant today. The film's themes of greed, power, and the American dream are just as relevant today as they were when the film was first released. The film is a cautionary tale about the dangers of chasing the American dream at all costs.

How Casino Benefits You

Casino can benefit you in a number of ways. The film can:

• Help you to understand the dark side of the American dream.
• Teach you about the dangers of greed and power.
• Show you the importance of family and friends.
• Entertain you for hours on end.

Stories

Story 1

A man walks into a casino and puts $100 on a roulette wheel. He wins, and then he puts all of his winnings on the next spin. He wins again, and then he keeps betting more and more money. Eventually, he loses everything.

What we learn: Don't bet more than you can afford to lose.

Story 2

A woman goes to a casino with her husband. She gives him $100 to play with, and he promises to give her half of his winnings. He goes to a slot machine and starts playing. He wins a few dollars, but then he starts losing. He keeps playing, and he eventually loses all of the money.

What we learn: Don't gamble with money that you need.

Story 3

A man goes to a casino and wins $1,000. He decides to keep playing, and he eventually loses all of his winnings. He goes back to the casino the next day and wins $2,000. He keeps playing, and he eventually loses all of his winnings again.

What we learn: Don't chase your losses. If you lose money, take a break and come back another day.

Tables

Table 1: Casino Revenue in the United States

Source: American Gaming Association

Table 2: Top 10 Casinos in the United States

Source: Casino City

Table 3: Types of Casino Games