Few movies do better than Casino at capturing the essence of Vegas. While most simply show the opulence and neon signs, Scorsese takes the time to dig in and reveal how Vegas is a machine that works both on its own and for the mafia. The story centers around Sam ‘Ace’ Rothstein (Robert De Niro), a Vegas mogul whose family’s business is gambling. He wants to keep the mob out but can’t because the town is addicted to the game and the money it generates.
Casino is a gangster film with an almost Greek tragedy feel to it. The plot is based on true events that took place in the city of Las Vegas and is told through the eyes of three very vivid characters: casino boss Sam ‘Ace’ Rothstein, played by Robert De Niro; mobster Nicky Santoro, played by Joe Pesci; and his hedonistic, drug-addicted wife Ginger, played by Sharon Stone.
The performances in this movie are top-notch, but it’s Stone who carries the film as the femme fatale who is willing to do whatever it takes for her lucky 7s. Following up her breakthrough turn in Basic Instinct, she’s a force to be reckoned with as she dominates the screen and steals every scene she’s in.
Scorsese’s approach is a little different here than in Goodfellas or even the much more recent Boogie Nights. He shows a bit more ambivalence here about the lifestyle of Ace and his associates. The film is not a paean to the old ways, but rather a warning that they’re all doomed to be replaced by something new and worse.