Way Back: Casino (1995)

The Martin Scorsese-directed Casino was released on November 22nd, 1995. Based on the Nicholas Pileggi book of a similar name, the film follows Ace (Robert Deniro) as he manages the fictional Tangiers Casino with the help of his excitable muscle (Joe Pesci). The film was a major box office success as it more than doubled its budget that fell somewhere between 40-50 million dollars.

With this gangster flick, we get a hint of perspective on one of America’s most beloved cities: Las Vegas. At one point, the mob was all but running this beautiful valley town. What wasn’t covered in the movie was the reason that this desert city became what it is. Construction of the nearby Hoover Dam began in the early 20th century. As young men migrated to the area to help with the project, they needed entertainment. The mob provided it in the form of casinos, strip clubs, and anything else to take people’s minds off of the hard work that is construction.

That little bit of history can explain why things were allowed to get so wild in the old desert days. Although, viewers get to see the gradual transition Vegas made from the wild west into the world-renowned travel destination that it is today . Ace personifies that shift and he witnesses how the harsh negotiating methods of the past no longer work in a town that’s becoming more legitimate everyday. Before he knew it, the lawless place became one that was very much law-bound.

If you love crime, mob, mafia, or gangster movies, make sure that you’ve seen Casino. It’s a long watch at nearly 3 hours, but it’s certainly got nuance and elite performances from it’s starring actors and director.