Gambling has been a part of our culture for millennia. Evidence of wooden blocks for dice has been found in 2300 BC China, card games popped up around 500 AD and blackjack appeared around the 1600s. These days, people play at casinos, sportsbooks, and land-based establishments around the world. Casinos use a variety of tactics to keep people gambling and coming back for more. From scented oils and happy music to dazzling lights and the smell of delicious food, they make it difficult for players to walk away.
Casino is one of Martin Scorsese’s more violent movies – but it never lingers on the violence for too long. It moves along at a quick pace, even though it’s over three hours long. Scorsese uses narration sparingly and he expertly edits the film to keep it from dragging or running out of steam.
Robert De Niro and Joe Pesci give outstanding performances as Sam and Nicky. Ace was a smart business man who ran his casinos well while still being tough and somewhat honest for a mobster. Nicky was a gangster who was out of control and let his anger govern his decisions.
No other movie does a better job of showing what Vegas is all about than Casino. It lays bare the origins of the city, its past ties with organized crime, and at the same time shows opulence, neon signs, and gamblers enjoying themselves. It is a movie that captures the essence of this unique place that combines history with entertainment.