No One Stays at the Top Forever

Rating: 10/10 (19 March 2007)

It's not an easy task making my list of ten best films ever. In fact, the list is rarely altered. Martin Scorsese now holds three of those spots. His 1995 film, "Casino," is cinematic poetry and heart-wrenching tragedy rolled up into one. It is one of the best films ever made.
Sam "Ace" Rothstein (Robert De Niro) is a professional gambler, and one of the best of his time. The setting is 1973. Rothstein is connected with the Mafia, who wish to open a casino in Las Vegas. They realize Rothstein knows the business and they put him in charge. His boyhood friend, Nicky Santoro (Joe Pesci) wants to give Vegas a try, and Rothstein has no objections. Eventually, the De Niro character falls in love with Ginger McKenna (Sharon Stone), who may or may not have the same feelings towards him. As time passes, Nicky starts taking over the town of Las Vegas through murder and extortion. He is labeled the local mob boss, and this begins to cause trouble for Rothstein. The public exposes him and the casino of being mob-lead, and this movie is about how something so glamorous, can be turned so ugly, simply by the actions one decides to partake in.
I don't think there's any question; Martin Scorsese is one of the greatest directors who ever lived. He manages to piece together perfection each time he makes a film. They are entertaining and magical, but remain harrowing and relevant. All film students should watch his technique carefully. No one, however, could impersonate his genius.
The acting here is beyond great. Robert De Niro is absolutely fantastic as Ace Rothstein. He is one of the best actors who ever breathed, and he gives another example as to why. Sharon Stone does a wonderful job as the emotionally disrupt and confused wife of Rothstein. Joe Pesci as Nicky Santoro is superb. He is nothing short of brilliant in Scorsese pictures, and here, his streak continues. Great supporting performances from James Woods, Frank Vincent, and Kevin Pollak.
One of the greatest things about this movie is the story. It all started brilliantly, and then it all turned around, simply because these people choose to live their life as they do. They're in it for the money, but what's the point of money when you lose everything because of the life you chose? The story is all the more fascinating knowing it's based on fact.
The screenplay by Nicholas Pileggi and Martin Scorsese is without flaw, and the dialogue is stunning.
When you wrap everything together; the directing, the screenplay, the acting, and editing, you are reminded on the film's tag-line: "No One Stays at the Top Forevor." That may be, but this film might be at the top forever. Magnificent.