Gambled and Lost

Rating: 5/10 (30 January 2011)

This film was ruined by the technique of narration. The same technique that spoiled Goodfellas completely wrecked Casino. DeNiro and Peschi's characters narrated it for us as if it was a slide show. How great this film would have been if it was done in a straightforward manner. Instead, we even have narration as gangsters are shooting each other. Sharon Stone stole he show and she deserved to get the Oscar for Best Actress. Too bad she didn't. I don't know what more an actress could do. The film was full of great moments - Peschi for all intents and purposes reprized his role as Tommy from Goodfellas and was as menacing as ever, though it mystifies me as how anyone could be intimidated by this dwarf. It's almost as bad as when Danny DeVito played the tough guy in "Hoffa".But look out - when Peschi goes after a guy with a ballpoint pen, all bets are off - I mean, we're not in Kansas anymore...harrowing. DeNiro was bland, as he was in Goodfellas - he didn't seem to try to act. Once again, this film was absolutely ruined by the intrusive narration. It muddled the continuity and restricted the storyline.