Is CASINO (1995) the quintessential Las Vegas movie? That’s debatable and I’m sure Ocean’s Eleven would have something to say about that. What’s not in doubt is Martin Scorsese’s sprawling epic is the best movie that shows the underbelly of Vegas. A tale of grandeur, decadence, and violence; it speaks to a Las Vegas confined to the past, only a memory in the modern resort-focused Vegas Strip.
It’s perhaps strange to call a movie from one of the greatest film directors of all-time underrated. Anything Scorsese turns out is “rated”. However, Casino is often overlooked amongst his best films and was greeted with a lukewarm reception upon release. It’s true those early critiques have morphed into wider appreciation for the movie over time, but Casino remains lesser known amongst Scorsese’s greats.
But here’s something worth considering. Casino has a claim to be the best gangster movie Scorsese has ever made. Yes, that’s a bold claim considering the director also turned out Goodfellas, The Departed, and The Irishman. One of the things that separates Casino from these other gems is its unflinching commitment to the content, style, and era.
For those who lived and breathed Las Vegas during the sixties and seventies, Casino may serve as a close-to-the-bone document of the influence organized crime had on the city. For movie fans not particularly interested in the ins and outs of the birth of modern Vegas, you have a compelling story and stunning visuals to keep you company.
You still also get Scorsese’s classic flair for filmmaking (elegant camera movements, immersive shots, long framing, jaded narrator, and subtle comedy). This is also the director at his most belligerent. Casino is unflinching in its portrayal of the violence that was the bedrock of Las Vegas in those days. This is his most bloodthirsty movie but is often also his most bittersweet.
And then there’s Las Vegas itself. For many people in 2020, Vegas is a holiday destination comprised of mega-resort casinos, over-the-top shows, and glamour. Before the 1980s, the city was starting to find its feet as major casino venues opened. Scorsese effortlessly captures a time where Las Vegas was all about charm, elegance, and perceived sophistication.
That sophistication is not real and often underpinned by violence and crime, but still Vegas looks stunning Casino and you can’t help but year for that version of the city, despite its obvious flaws. The movie also perfectly captures the isolation of Vegas. For decades, the city has been viewed as a heavenly retreat for relaxation, fun, and decadence… it feels remote from the rest of the United States.
In Casino, there’s a feeling that what’s happening in Vegas is taking place on some kind of island independent of general trends across the country. Managing to get the viewer to believe Las Vegas is a unique place is perhaps the biggest achievement of Casino. It’s worth noting Las Vegas is still like that and it’s this quality that makes it something special.
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