The movie Casino is a masterful study of mob life and of the relationships that these criminals and their associates run into. It reveals a slow road to destruction for everyone involved and is a testament to the power of human greed. While it might not rank up with Martin Scorsese’s finest films like Taxi Driver or Raging Bull, it still stands as a great achievement. It combines a brutal and yet delicately balanced tale of Sicilian mafia with brilliant performances by Sharon Stone, Robert De Niro, and Joe Pesci. It also showcases the editing skills of long time collaborator Thelma Schoonmaker and demonstrates once again that Scorsese is the greatest director working today.
Beneath the flashing lights and free cocktails, casinos are built on a bedrock of mathematics engineered to slowly bleed their patrons of cash. This is why they are known for their lack of clocks and windows; they want their customers to be oblivious to the passage of time so that they will make spur-of-the-moment decisions to keep playing, which leads to more losses. For years mathematically inclined minds have tried to turn the tables by using probability and game theory, but the best way to beat a casino is to simply not play.
Even for those who do choose to gamble, the odds are stacked against them. Despite the fact that the flashing lights and vibrant colors create an enticing environment that makes you feel like you’re a part of the action, the truth is that your chances of winning are slim to none. Casinos use a number of psychological tricks to keep their customers gambling, including putting up “near-win” signs and encouraging their players to stay for more play by offering free drinks. These near wins trigger the brain’s reward system and make players believe that luck is on their side, leading them to spend more money in the hope of hitting that elusive jackpot.
Casino’s story is full of corruption, violence, and treachery. There are no good guys in this film and for the most part the characters get their comeuppance at the end. The real story, though, is of the human tragedy that lies at the heart of this dark tale. De Niro and Stone are the highlight of this movie with both giving career-best performances, and Pesci is also terrific as a mob enforcer who can’t quite control his rage. The screenplay tries to explore the psyches of these characters, and takes them out of the casinos and into their desert homes and apartments in an attempt to bring depth to this film, but it begins to falter in the middle section of the movie.