Casinos are opulent, glittering temples to overindulgence that combine restaurants, bars, shops, spas and theaters with gaming facilities. Some casinos are infused with history and charm while others are glass-and-steel temples of modern excess.
Historically, casinos were private clubs where gamblers could bet and play games of chance. But the advent of electronic chips has made it easier to monitor bets and ensure that the results are unbiased; casinos also use video cameras to monitor the gambling area for security reasons. In the past, cheating and stealing were common in casinos. Today, casino patrons and employees may be tempted to commit fraud either in collusion or independently; hence the many security measures used by modern casinos.
In a movie that is both an epic history of Vegas and a riveting thriller, Martin Scorsese has crafted a story that is both entertaining and enlightening. Unlike other movies that feature Las Vegas, Casino doesn’t just show off the glitz and glamour; it shows how organized crime controlled the city before the large gambling corporations took over.
But it is Sharon Stone who steals the movie with her captivating performance as Ginger, a wise-cracking hustler. She builds on and inverts her role as Catherine Tramell in Basic Instinct while showing that she is a natural in front of the camera. As a result, she keeps the film on its toes, never allowing it to stall or lag. The movie’s ending is not only satisfying but also very unexpected.