Why Martin Scorsese’s Casino Needs a Deep Rewind

There are very few people in the world who would disagree with the notion that Martin Scorsese is one of the greatest filmmakers of this generation. The superstar filmmaker has a vast collection of masterpieces to his name such as Goodfellas, Raging Bull, The Irishman, and The Wolf of Wall Street to name a few. And while many of Scorsese’s works are celebrated by film critics and general audiences all throughout the world, there are definitely a few that are a cut above the rest. Given all of the work that the celebrated director has done in the industry. It’s only natural that a bunch of his works may not have received the same kind of recognition even when they were deserving of it. One such film is his 1995 movie Casino.

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It’s no secret that the gambling industry is one of the most lucrative markets in the global economy. Whether it be in traditional land-based casinos or through online portals, the gambling industry has cemented itself as an integral component of social existence.

Star-Studded Cast

Of course, there is a dark side to casinos and that’s where Scorsese managed to weave an intricate narrative that drove his 1995 film. The film also falls under the gangster genre that Scorsese is known for with other works like Goodfellas and The Irishman. It follows Robert De Niro who plays a character named Sam “Ace” Rothstein, a gambling expert who is recruited by the Italian-American Mafia to oversee operations at their Las Vegas hotel. Sharon Stone also stars as De Niro’s on-screen wife Ginger McKenna together with Joe Pesci as Nicky Santoro. These are some of the most iconic names in Hollywood history.

De Niro and Pesci were right at home, having acted in numerous gangster films before this one. Much of Pesci’s character gave him an opportunity to showcase the performances that helped build his career in movies like Raging Bull and Goodfellas. De Niro’s performance as Ace is also brilliant. There are certain nuances to Ace’s character that De Niro is able to execute so methodically and subtly, that it gives movie lovers great payoffs for paying close attention. Sharon Stone also pulled her weight in this film and helped secure the movie’s only Oscar Nomination for Best Actress in a Leading Role.

Screenplay

One of the greatest strengths of the movie is its writing. Both Scorsese and Nicholas Pileggi are responsible for creating a compelling storyline that follows some of the most nuanced and interesting characters in the gangster film genre. Next to Taxi Driver, Casino might perhaps be the best-written Scorsese movie in his entire filmography. There are doses of homophobia, racism, and violence that may not sit well with certain audiences of this age, but they certainly add to the authenticity of the criminal underworld of high-brow gangsters.

Awards

Even though the movie was a relatively critical success, it only got one nomination for the Academy Awards in 1996 where Sharone Stone was nominated for Best Actress in a Leading Role. Stone was also nominated as Best Actress at the Chicago Film Critics Association Awards together with Martin Scorsese as Best Director. Stone also won the award for Best Performance by an Actress in a Motion Picture – Drama at the 1996 Golden Globes where Scorsese was also nominated for Best Director.

Casinos in Movies

While Casino wasn’t the first film to feature a gambling and casino story, it certainly was the most popular one from an era of filmmaking that was highly competitive. Again, it may not necessarily stand out as Scorsese’s best work, but it certainly adds to the richness and vibrance of his filmography in such a way that many of his other works don’t.

De Niro, Stone, and Pesci all gave lifetime performances that also helped solidify their places in the pantheons of Hollywood. Even though Casino isn’t as celebrated as other films from its era, it’s still definitely a movie that’s worth revisiting from time to time.