Casino is a 1995 American epic crime drama film directed by Martin Scorsese and starring Robert De Niro, Sharon Stone, and Joe Pesci. The film is based on the true story of Frank "Lefty" Rosenthal, a professional sports bettor and mastermind behind the operation of several casinos in Las Vegas, and his relationship with his friend and fellow mobster, Tony "The Ant" Spilotro.
Nicholas Pileggi's book Casino: Love and Honor in Las Vegas serves as the basis for the film, which explores the rise and fall of the Las Vegas casino industry and the corruption that ran rampant in the city during the 1970s and 1980s. Pileggi, who also co-wrote the screenplay for the film, drew upon his own experiences as a journalist covering the Vegas casino scene and his extensive research into the inner workings of the city's gambling industry to craft a compelling and authentic depiction of the world of organized crime in Las Vegas.
The film follows the story of Sam "Ace" Rothstein (De Niro), a smooth-talking, ambitious man who is hand-picked by the Chicago Outfit to run the Tangiers Casino in Las Vegas. Ace is a brilliant strategist and a skilled negotiator, and he quickly becomes the most successful casino boss in Vegas. However, as he rises to the top of the gambling world, Ace finds himself caught in a web of deceit and betrayal, as he tries to keep the peace between his bosses in Chicago and the local Vegas mobsters, all while trying to maintain his own personal and professional relationships.
One of the key relationships in the film is between Ace and Ginger (Stone), a former hustler and prostitute who becomes Ace's wife. Ginger is a complex and multifaceted character, and her tumultuous relationship with Ace is one of the driving forces of the film. She is also a key player in the film's portrayal of the corrupt and glamorous world of Las Vegas, as she becomes embroiled in the city's underworld and becomes involved in a number of illicit activities.
The film also features a standout performance by Joe Pesci as Nicky Santoro, a violent and unpredictable mobster who becomes Ace's right-hand man at the Tangiers Casino. Nicky is a volatile and unpredictable character, and his actions have a major impact on the events of the film.
Casino is a powerful and engrossing crime drama that offers a realistic and unflinching look at the world of organized crime in Las Vegas. The film's strong performances, particularly from De Niro, Stone, and Pesci, and its authentic depiction of the Vegas casino industry make it a must-see for fans of the genre.
