Casino (1995)

VHS COVER/SIDE

Length of film:  178 Minutes

Rated: R

Genre: Crime, Drama

Director: Martin Scorsese

Starring: Robert De Niro, Sharon Stone, Joe Pesci, James Woods, Don Rickles, Alan King, Kevin Pollak, L.Q. Jones, Dick Smothers, Frank Vincent

IMDB Rank: 8.2/10

Part 1 Time: 92 Minutes

Part 2 Time: 86 Minutes

Where does the first part end? Sheriff Pat Webb (L.Q. Jones) brings a newspaper to the police. He questions whether Sam Rothstein (Robert De Niro), the boss of the Tangiers Casino, has obtained or filed for his gambling license.

Final line of dialogue on the first part: Pat Webb speaks to the police, “Well of course he really said that, its all right here (holds out newspaper), has that man even filed for his license yet…. we might have to kick a kite’s ass out of town.”

First line of dialogue on the second part: Sam Rothstien watches his television as a news reporter announces, “A gaming control boards investigation of Tangiers executive Sam Rothsiten’s application for license of gaming licence.”

How jarring is it when the first part ends? Minimal, the audience is expecting Webb to investigate Sam Rothstein after he fired his nephew. But without a gaming licence Sam Rothstein will be unable to run the Tangiers casino. Also, the relationship between Nicky Santoro (Joe Pesci), and Sam’s wife Ginger (Sharon Stone) is becoming evermore stressful.

Which part is better? Part one explains the mob’s highly successful control of gambling in Las Vegas. However this control weakens causing multiple hardships in part two. Sharon Stone is the superstar of part two, enabling the audience to feel a mixture of hate and sympathy for the outcome of Ginger. Slight edge to part two and its outcome.

Academy Awards: Best Actress in a Leading Role (Sharon Stone-Nominated)