Casino is a 1995 American mafia crime film directed by Martin Scorsese. It is a drama set in Las Vegas, Nevada that portrays the city’s history of mob influence and modern-day ostentatious luxury. It features many resonant themes and a powerful cast that includes Robert De Niro, Joe Pesci, and Sharon Stone. It is an underrated masterpiece that showcases Scorsese’s masterful sense of camera movement and framing. It is one of the few movies that manages to capture the essence of Vegas in its most realistic form.
The movie begins with an opening that feels like a behind-the-scenes documentary. Scorsese uses fast cuts and stylized footage to give the impression that the viewer is witnessing an actual casino operation. The narration gradually evolves from a 100% voiceover to virtually no narration (although it never completely disappears). This change helps to make the transition to the fictional story feel less intrusive and more natural.
In the world of casinos, it is important to understand how they make money. Casinos earn money by taking a percentage of the total amount of money that is wagered on their tables and slots. This is known as the “house edge.”
In addition to this, the casino will offer complimentary goods and services to its players. These freebies are called comps and can include anything from free hotel rooms to dinner vouchers to show tickets. Often times, a player’s comps will be based on the amount of time they spend in the casino. For example, a player who plays a lot of blackjack will receive more free comps than a person who only spins the slot machines.