this movie reminds us that sometimes, there are no redeeming characters

Rating: 8/10 (20 May 2005)

Knowing Martin Scorsese's movies (particularly "Taxi Driver", "Raging Bull" and "Goodfellas"), you may think that you're prepared for "Casino". Well, you're not. "Casino" has some scenes that will outright shock you. The story of mob boss Sam "Ace" Rothstein (Robert DeNiro) becoming a kingpin in Las Vegas exposes the fact that contrary to all the glitz associated with that city, the whole place is one of the most violent cities in the country. Ace's wife Ginger (Sharon Stone) gets sucked into the slimy business and is poisoned by it, while mafioso Nicky Santoro (Joe Pesci) never abates in his nastiness. Ugly as hell, but unfortunately, it's all true.
A strange irony to the movie's serious tone is Nicky's speech: he curses like mad. It sort of comes out funny. But make no mistake about it, this is not a movie that is intended to produce any laughs.