Casino Synopsis & Review: Plot Summary

🎯 Quick Overview

😅 Plot Summary – Badly Explained

A numbers guy, his violent best friend, and a manic pixie dream girl ruin Vegas for everyone.

🍿 Casino: Detailed Plot Synopsis

Ace’s Rise in Las Vegas

Sam ‘Ace’ Rothstein, a skilled sports handicapper, is chosen by the Mafia to manage the Tangiers Casino in Las Vegas. Ace’s expertise quickly doubles the casino’s profits, with the Mafia skimming the excess. He applies his meticulous approach to running the casino, enforcing rules and spotting cheats, ensuring its smooth operation and profitability.

Nicky’s Arrival and Escalating Violence

To protect Ace and the Mafia’s interests, Nicky Santoro, Ace’s childhood friend and a ruthless mob enforcer, arrives in Las Vegas. Nicky’s violent tendencies and ambition to establish his criminal empire lead to conflicts with Ace, attracting unwanted attention from law enforcement.

Ace and Ginger’s Tumultuous Relationship

Ace falls for Ginger McKenna, a captivating hustler, and they marry. Ginger’s unstable nature, drug abuse, and lingering affections for her former pimp, Lester Diamond, create tension in their marriage. Ace’s attempts to control Ginger and her increasing volatility lead to a destructive cycle of betrayal and chaos.

The Downfall of the Tangiers Empire

As the FBI intensifies its investigation into the Mafia’s activities in Las Vegas, Ace’s world begins to unravel. Ginger’s reckless behavior, Nicky’s escalating violence, and the incompetence of underlings like Artie Piscano expose the casino’s skimming operation. Tensions between Ace and Nicky reach a breaking point, leading to betrayal and violence.

⚠️ Spoilers and Ending Explained

🎬 Cast & Characters

• Sam ‘Ace’ Rothstein (Robert De Niro): A skilled sports handicapper brought to Las Vegas by the Mafia to manage the Tangiers Casino, struggling to balance his professional success with his tumultuous personal life.
• Ginger McKenna (Sharon Stone): A charismatic and alluring hustler who marries Ace, but her instability and lingering ties to her past threaten to unravel their lives.
• Nicky Santoro (Joe Pesci): Ace’s childhood friend and a volatile mob enforcer whose violent tendencies and ambition create chaos and jeopardize Ace’s operations.
• Lester Diamond (James Woods): Ginger’s former boyfriend and a con artist who remains a disruptive presence in her life and a source of conflict with Ace.
• Artie Piscano (Vinny Vella): An incompetent under-boss from Kansas City appointed to oversee the skim, whose mismanagement and record-keeping leads to the downfall of the operation.

💬 Memorable Quotes

• Sam ‘Ace’ Rothstein: “No matter how much you operate a casino, you’re still walking around in a minefield.” – Ace narrates this to emphasize the constant dangers and pressures of running a casino controlled by the Mafia.
• Sam ‘Ace’ Rothstein: “In the desert, nobody cares who you are and what you do.” – Ace explains the allure and anonymity that Las Vegas provides, allowing people to reinvent themselves.
• Nicky Santoro: “You wanna go over my head again, I’ll chop your friggin’ head off!” – Nicky threatens Ace in the desert, marking the point of no return in their friendship.
• Ginger McKenna: “I want my daughter protected. I want everything that’s coming to me!” – Ginger shouts this as she spirals out of control, demanding what she believes she’s entitled to.
• Sam ‘Ace’ Rothstein: “See, in the old days, they had guys like me. Guys like me, they can’t exist anymore.” – Ace reflects on the changing landscape of Las Vegas, lamenting the loss of the old ways.

💰Box Office

• Budget: $52,000,000
• Domestic Gross: $42,512,375
• Worldwide Gross: $116,112,375

💥 Casino Reviews

Personal Review

Casino is a film that has stuck with me since the first time I saw it. The way Scorsese captures the glitz and grime of Vegas is amazing. I was totally drawn into the story of Ace, Nicky, and Ginger. Sharon Stone’s performance is unforgettable. The scene in the desert confrontation is so intense, I felt like I was there. Definitely one of my all-time favorites, it’s a movie I can watch again and again!

• Who would enjoy:
  • “Fans of Martin Scorsese films”
  • “Viewers interested in crime dramas and mob stories”
  • “Those fascinated by the history of Las Vegas and organized crime”
  • “People who enjoy films with complex characters and morally ambiguous themes”
• Content warnings ⚠:
  • “Graphic violence”
  • “Strong language”
  • “Drug use”
  • “Sexual content”

Professional Reviews

• Variety: “Scorsese delivers a visually stunning epic that captures the allure and brutality of Las Vegas in its mob-controlled heyday. De Niro and Pesci are magnetic, while Stone shines in a career-defining role. A must-see for fans of the genre.
• The New York Times: “Casino is a sprawling and immersive experience. While some may find it excessive, Scorsese’s meticulous direction and the cast’s performances make it a worthwhile exploration of greed, power, and betrayal. The movie is not always pretty, but it is always captivating.
• Chicago Sun-Times: “Martin Scorsese’s film is a dark, glittery epic about crime, greed, and self-destruction. It’s a brilliant showcase for the director’s artistry and the actors’ talents, especially Sharon Stone. However, the movie is violent, and not suitable for everyone.

Audience Reactions

Joe Pesci’s performance is terrifyingly brilliant!: Viewers consistently praise the performances, especially Joe Pesci’s portrayal of the volatile Nicky Santoro.

Sharon Stone was absolutely captivating as Ginger.: Many viewers highlight Sharon Stone’s performance as a standout, citing it as her best role.

Overall Consensus: Casino is a visually stunning and intense crime epic with strong performances, though its length and violence may not appeal to everyone. Despite some criticism of repetitiveness, most find it a compelling examination of greed and power.

Awards

1. Golden Globe Award (Best Actress – Motion Picture Drama)- 1996

🛠️ Behind the Scenes

• “Much of the dialogue between Robert De Niro and Joe Pesci was improvised, with Martin Scorsese giving them a general direction for each scene.”
• “The film is based on the true story of Frank ‘Lefty’ Rosenthal, who managed several casinos in Las Vegas for the Chicago Outfit, and his tumultuous relationship with his wife Geri McGee and childhood friend Anthony Spilotro.”
• “To prepare for her role, Sharon Stone studied Ginger Alden’s tapes with Elvis Presley. She spent time with a real-life Vegas hustler to learn the nuances of the lifestyle.”

🖥️ How to Watch Casino?

Casino is available to rent or purchase on various platforms including Amazon Prime Video, Apple TV, Google Play, and Vudu. Check local listings for potential broadcast options. Unfortunately it does not appear to be part of any Streaming services included with subscription, but is readily available for rental.

🎥 Similar Movies

If you enjoyed Casino, you might like these similar films:

• Goodfellas (1990): A direct comparison, both directed by Martin Scorsese, starring Robert De Niro and Joe Pesci, exploring the world of organized crime with similar narrative styles and themes of ambition, betrayal, and violence.
• Bugsy (1991): Thematically similar, chronicling Bugsy Siegel’s vision for Las Vegas and the mob’s involvement in its early development, sharing the same era and themes of ambition, glamour, and danger.
• American Hustle (2013): A modern equivalent, featuring a crime story with a focus on elaborate cons, complex characters, and stylish 1970s setting, capturing a similar energy and moral ambiguity.
• The Wolf of Wall Street (2013): A modern equivalent that captures the excesses and moral decay associated with ambition, wealth, and unregulated markets, echoing Casino’s themes in a contemporary setting.

🛒 Casino Related Products

• Casino [Blu-ray]: Experience the Scorsese masterpiece in stunning high definition. This Blu-ray edition includes bonus features such as behind-the-scenes footage and interviews.
• Casino (Soundtrack): Immerse yourself in the iconic sounds of ‘Casino’ with the official soundtrack. Featuring classic tracks from The Rolling Stones, Fleetwood Mac, and more.
• Mafia III: Definitive Edition: Experience the dark and gritty world of organized crime in Mafia III. Set in 1968 New Bordeaux, this open-world game lets you build your criminal empire. Now that is an offer you can’t refuse.
• The Accountant Movie Poster Print (27 x 40): A tribute to the unsung heroes of the mob. Get the poster of the top 10 accountant movie, the perfect addition to your collection.

🎧 Soundtrack

Casino features a captivating soundtrack that enhances the movie’s atmosphere and emotional impact. Here are some notable tracks:

• “Gimme Shelter” – performed by The Rolling Stones
• “House of the Rising Sun” – performed by The Animals
• “Stardust” – performed by Willie Nelson
• “Nights in White Satin” – performed by The Moody Blues

You can find the complete soundtrack on Amazon Music and Apple Music.

🤨 FAQ

🔥 Bonus Content

What The Movie Casino Doesn’t Tell You About The True Story

Have you ever wondered what parts of the iconic movie Casino were based on real life? This video dives into the true story behind the movie, revealing fascinating details and unknown facts. Prepare to be surprised by the real events that unfolded in Las Vegas!

Why Did Frankie Turn On Nicky? | Casino (1995) Explained | The REAL Reason…

If you’ve ever wondered why Frankie betrayed Nicky in Casino, this video has the answer! A film analyst takes a deep dive into the character’s motivations, providing insights that will make you question everything you thought you knew about the movie.

Everything You Didn’t Know About CASINO by Martin Scorsese

Curious about the secrets behind the making of Casino? This documentary-style video uncovers fascinating details, from the casting process to the iconic scenes, giving you an insider’s look at the creation of a cinematic classic.

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