Casino (1995) is an epic crime drama from master director Martin Scorsese, weaving a tale of power, greed, and betrayal set in the glittering yet treacherous world of Las Vegas casinos during the 1970s and 80s. Based on real events, the film offers a stunning portrayal of the mafia’s iron grip on the city and the personal unraveling of those caught in its web.
Opening Hook
In the city that never sleeps, where fortunes are won and lost in an instant, one man held the keys to an empire built on risk, glamour, and corruption. But in the high-stakes world of Las Vegas, the ultimate gamble is trusting the wrong people.
Detailed Summary
Sam “Ace” Rothstein (Robert De Niro), a meticulous and brilliant gambling expert, is handpicked by the mob to oversee operations at the Tangiers Casino. Under Ace’s expert management, the casino becomes a money-making machine, meticulously skimming profits for the mafia while maintaining the illusion of legitimate business. Ace’s dedication to his work is unwavering, and he runs the casino with ruthless efficiency, making him both admired and feared.
Ace’s carefully constructed world begins to crack when Nicky Santoro (Joe Pesci), his childhood friend and a violent enforcer, arrives in Las Vegas. Tasked with protecting the mob’s interests, Nicky’s explosive temper and unchecked ambition soon spiral out of control, turning him into a liability. His violent escapades and growing criminal empire draw unwanted attention, threatening Ace’s delicate balance with the authorities.
At the same time, Ace’s personal life crumbles. His tumultuous marriage to Ginger McKenna (Sharon Stone), a glamorous yet unstable hustler, becomes a vortex of jealousy, betrayal, and addiction. Ginger’s manipulative behavior and her lingering attachment to her former lover only fuel the chaos, leaving Ace increasingly isolated.
As federal agents close in on the Tangiers, the tension between Ace, Nicky, and Ginger reaches a boiling point. Betrayals mount, alliances fracture, and the world Ace meticulously built begins to collapse under the weight of greed and ambition.
Themes and Legacy
Casino is a sweeping exploration of the dark side of ambition, where loyalty is fleeting, and the pursuit of power comes at an unbearable cost. Scorsese’s masterful storytelling, combined with powerhouse performances by De Niro, Pesci, and Stone, paints a vivid picture of the rise and fall of a glittering empire. Visually stunning and emotionally searing, the film stands as a cautionary tale of moral decay in the pursuit of unchecked success.
