Casino (1995) is a critically acclaimed epic crime drama directed by Martin Scorsese, based on Nicholas Pileggi’s nonfiction book Casino: Love and Honor in Las Vegas. The film delves into the rise and fall of mob-controlled casinos in 1970s and ’80s Las Vegas, focusing on the intertwined lives of a casino executive, a Mafia enforcer, and a socialite.(en.wikipedia.org, m.imdb.com)
🎬 Cast & Characters
- Robert De Niro as Sam “Ace” Rothstein: A meticulous sports handicapper tasked with overseeing the Tangiers Casino, based on real-life casino executive Frank Rosenthal.(en.wikipedia.org)
- Sharon Stone as Ginger McKenna: A former hustler and showgirl who becomes Sam’s wife, her volatile relationship with him adds complexity to the narrative.(en.wikipedia.org)
- Joe Pesci as Nicky Santoro: A ruthless mob enforcer and childhood friend of Sam, whose violent tendencies lead to escalating conflicts.(en.wikipedia.org)
- James Woods as Lester Diamond: Ginger’s manipulative ex-lover, whose presence exacerbates tensions in her marriage to Sam.(rottentomatoes.com)
- Don Rickles as Billy Sherbert: A seasoned casino host who provides comic relief amidst the film’s intense drama.
- Kevin Pollak as Phillip Green: A casino executive involved in the operations of the Tangiers.(m.imdb.com)
- Frank Vincent as Billy Batts: A character whose fate intertwines with the mob’s activities.(en.wikipedia.org)
📖 Plot Summary
Sam “Ace” Rothstein is recruited by the Chicago Outfit to manage the Tangiers Casino, leveraging his expertise to ensure profitability through meticulous operations. He brings in Nicky Santoro for protection, but Nicky’s violent methods attract unwanted attention. Simultaneously, Sam marries Ginger McKenna, whose past and unpredictable behavior strain their relationship. As the casino thrives, internal and external pressures mount, leading to betrayal, corruption, and the eventual downfall of the mob’s influence in Las Vegas. (en.wikipedia.org, m.imdb.com, newyorker.com)
🏆 Accolades
- Sharon Stone received a Golden Globe Award for Best Actress in a Motion Picture – Drama and was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Actress for her portrayal of Ginger McKenna.
- The film earned four wins and eleven nominations in various award circuits. (imdb.com)
📰 Recent Highlights
In June 2025, Martin Scorsese and Robert De Niro reunited to commemorate the 30th anniversary of Casino with a special screening at New York City’s Beacon Theatre, followed by a panel discussion moderated by W. Kamau Bell. The event highlighted the film’s enduring relevance, with themes of power, greed, and ego resonating deeply in today’s sociopolitical climate. Scorsese compared the film to a modern Greek tragedy driven by hubris, while Bell noted its allegorical reflection of current times. The discussion also explored Vegas’s transformation from mafia-run to corporate-controlled, prompting humorous yet poignant commentary from Scorsese and De Niro. (theguardian.com)
For more information, you can visit the IMDb page for Casino (1995).
If you’re interested in exploring similar films or learning more about the real-life figures behind the characters, feel free to ask!