Casino review

 Number 166 on the top 1000 films of all time is Martin Scorsesee's 1996 epic crime drama Casino

Sam 'Ace' Rothstein (Robert De Niro) is an expert sports handicapper, so much so, that the mob recruit him to oversee their casino Tangiers on the Las Vegas strip. They also send Nicky Santoro (Joe Pesci) to watch over him. While things initially go well, Rothstein's contentious relationship with Santoro and Rothstein's wife Ginger (Sharon Stone) soon start showing the cracks in the empire.

Robert De Niro and Joe Pesci? Check. The mob? Check. Gratuitous violence? Check. Lots of swearing? Check. All the hallmarks of a great Scorsesee film? I'm not do sure about that. This isn't to say that isn't a good film, but I didn't think it was great either.

Having watched Goodfellas, Raging Bull and the Irishman, I have seen De Niro and Pesci excel together on many occasions and Casino was no exception. Pesci, as always, was brilliant as the little man with the big temper - particularly in the infamous 'head in vice' scene. And De Niro functions as a calming influence on his friend until their relationship takes a turn for the worse.

Sharon Stone was also great as Rothstein's duplicitous wife Ginger who is still in love with her pimp Lester Diamond. (James Woods) She starts two-timing and robbing Rothstein until her own self-destruction. Undoubtedly, this was one of the most tragic character arcs of the film, not just for Ginger, but Rothstein who was unreservedly in Love with Ginger.

The cinematography was also great with the sweeping master shots of the Las Vegas and interiors of the casino, conveying the true majesty and grandeur of the time period. The music was great as well with Martin Scorsesee always picking the right song for the right scene. I don't care how many times the Rolling Stones' Give Me Shelter is played in films and TV, I will always sing along. And lastly, I have to pay homage to the great Frank Vincent who played Santoro's number two. Although he only had a supporting role, it's always great to see him on screen. RIP.

So why don't I think this was one of Scorsesee's best? I was reading a listicle ranking Scorsesee's films from worst to best with Casino ranking number 16 because of how it didn't bring anything new to Scorsese's work. And I would be tempted to agree. I know I shouldn't compare, but Casino only came out five years after Goodfellas and it is difficult not to draw comparisons. Both films are about the mob, they share similar casts and they were both jnspired by books penned by Nicholas Pileggi. 

But by virtue of Goodfellas being released first, it did feel that Scorsese was retreading familiar ground - which isn't necessarily a bad thing, except when that ground was already broken by an objectively better film. Plus Casino was a touch longer than it needed to be. As a film in its own right, Casino was a good film, but when compared to Scorsese's other work, it pales in comparison.