I felt a little like I was watching one of those gambling documentaries they show in Vegas hotel rooms to prep you for the games, except directed by Scorsese and shot by the engrossing Robert Richardson, who has been the best element of many of Oliver Stone's recent pictures. Also, Scorsese's sense of humor carries this section, which is so valuable to the narrative of the movie as a whole. Joe Pesci reprising his recurring role as a violent maniac gangster. But no matter how many times I see Joe Pesci playing roles like Nicky, I never seem to get tired of him. I'd like to think that's because he brings something different to each role, but maybe it's because I enjoy seeing him beat the crap out of someone.
Money is, after all, what it's all about.
Sharon Stone's Ginger McKenna knows all about money and how to get it. I've never seen Sharon Stone create a character that didn't seem to be based on an aspect of her own personality. For once she displayed professional acting skill, and not her Basic Instinct fake-simmer. But that's not what the film's about. It's about consistency, integrity, and change.