Casino at 30: Revisiting Scorsese's Masterpiece on the Cost of Criminal Glamour

Plot Summary

Casino depicts the rise and downfall of Sam "Ace" Rothstein, a diligent odds-maker hired by the Midwest Mafia to direct the activities of the Tangiers casino in 1970s and early 1980s Las Vegas. The movie places Sam within a city undergoing a rapid metamorphosis, utilizing his managerial accuracy through which Scorsese explores systems of loyalty, ambition, and the commercialization of glamour.

Sam's efforts to maintain order are complicated by two primary relationships: his increasingly volatile partnership with Nicky Santoro, a childhood friend whose untamed violent temper exposes the fragility of the Mafia world, and his toxic marriage to Ginger McKenna, whose split loyalties emphasize the emotional and economic matters that are prevalent in the casino world.

Adapted from Nichola Pileggi's nonfiction book Casino: Love and Honor in Las Vegas -- with Pileggi and Scorsese co-writing the screenplay -- the movie. The movie combines real history with striking visuals to reveal how ambition and crime shape and are shaped by the Las Vegas landscape.

Stellar Performance from the Cast

The cast of Casino delivers performances that are both captivating and crucial to Scorsese's exploration of loyalty, ambition, and organized crime. Robert De Niro's portrayal of Sam "Ace" Rothstein is a masterpiece in restrained intensity. De Niro personifies Sam's diligent, calculating personality. depicting both his obsession with maintaining control and the underlying drama when chaos inevitably attacks his well-organized world. His portrayal perfectly captures the duplexity of a man who lives on glamour and risk of Las Vegas yet struggles with maintaining close relationships.

Joe Pesci's Nicky Santoro provides a sharp contrast. blending the movie with unpredictability and raw energy. Pesci projects Nicky's violent nature while maintaining loyalty to Sam, depicting how violence and devotion coexist in the Mafia social structure. Sharon Stone's Ginger McKenna is equally gripping; she portrays a woman whose charm and beauty carry dangerous impulses, particularly in her attachment to her ex-boyfriend Lester Diamond.

The supporting cast, including Frank Vincent, Kevin Pollak, and James Woods, further enhances the movie, providing the criminal world more depth and texture. Each actor brings a unique portrayal that strengthens the story and help create tension throughout the story.

Analyzing The Movie's Themes

Ambition is crucial to Casino, personified by Sam Rothstein non-stop desire to control the Tangiers casino and enforce his authority within a high-risk environment. His accurate attention to detail and an obsessive need for order reflect the human nature to gain power over one's circumstances. Yet the movie depicts that ambition in itself cannot prevent chaos or the vile randomness in the criminal underworld.

Loyalty is another key theme, particularly in the dynamics that form the foundation of the Mafia's social structure. Sam's partnership with Nicky Santoro conveys how loyalty can be intense yet breakable; personal impulses, greed, and the tension of a merciless environment constantly threaten trust. By showing that loyalty can be conditional and complex, the movie explores the tension between personal devotion and self-interest in a morally ambiguous setting.

The dark side of glamour is evident throughout Las Vegas in the 1970s and '80s. Neon lights, extravagant casinos, and the allure of wealth conceal a dangerous, businesslike underworld, where violence and corruption co-exist underneath the city's sparkling surface. By placing luxury in opposition to immorality, Casino highlights how the pursuit of prestige can be appealing while at the same time destructive.

Sam and Ginger: A Cautionary Tale on Romantic Relationships

Sam manifested the classic "I can change her/him" mindset, a belief that sets the stage for a turbulent marriage with Ginger. This attitude is evident in the penthouse living room scene, Ginger tells him "I care about you... but I don't have those kinds of feelings for you. I am not in love with you, sorry", yet Sam insisted, excusing her affection: "You know, that kind of thing can grow. What is love anyway? It's a mutual respect. It's a devotion". His persistence demonstrates how desire and attachment can blind someone to red flags, creating the groundwork for a toxic relationship.

At Sam's wedding, his voice over admits "I have heard the stories, but I don't give a f***. I am Sam "Ace" Rothstein, I can change her." This line indicates Sam was aware of Ginger's reputation and the kind of person she was, but he chose to think that love, wealth and guidance could mold her into the ideal partner.

During the reception, Ginger steps outside and calls her ex-boyfriend Lester Diamond, crying as she confesses her lingering feelings and doubt. When Sam sees her on the phone, he asks her if she is okay, she admits what's on her mind. Sam dismisses her emotional turmoil by telling her that chapter of her life is done. Instead of seeing this as a warning sign, he doubles down on his belief that money, affection, and devotion can outweigh any incompatibilities.

Ginger, nevertheless, remains emotionally attached to Lester, secretly giving him money behind Sam's back. Her inner unrest eventually spirals when she begins to have an affair with Nicky Santoro, further destroying her marriage. The movie ultimately depicts Sam, Ginger, and Lester as flawed significant others whose unrealistic expectations, unresolved issues, and self-destructive impulses entrap them in a cycle of resentment and betrayal.

Through these relationships. Casino presents a cautionary tale: love cannot be forced and attempting to change someone only leads to problems. Sam's belief that he could control, or "fix" Ginger doesn't just ruin their marriage -- it directly ties into the movie's themes of loyalty and ambition. Sam's idealism of a perfect marriage blinds him to the harsh reality unfolding. Meanwhile, Ginger's split loyalty -- torn between Sam, Lester, and her own desires -- reveals how relationships built on fantasy rather than genuine emotional connection inevitably break down.

Their dynamic demonstrates the rise-and-fall structure of Casino: ambition without self-awareness and loyalty without validity lead to disaster.

The Parallels Between Goodfellas and Casino

Both Goodfellas and Casino are based on nonfiction books by Nicholas Pileggi -- Wiseguy and Casino: Love and Honor in Las Vegas, separately -- with Pileggi also writing the screenplays, grounding the movies in real events and people. Both movies utilize voice-over narration from the protagonist -- Henry Hill in Goodfellas and Sam Rothstein in Casino -- to provide insight into the social hierarchy of the criminal world and the consequences of ambition, loyalty, and greed. Additionally, they open with scenes that lack context but gain importance later: in Casino, Sam's car is blown up, while in Goodfellas, Billy Batts is killed in the trunk of a car.

A prominent parallel is the rise-and-fall arc both protagonists experience. Sam and Henry each rise to power and influence within the criminal world, enjoying wealth, respect, and authority. Yet their personal determination, mishandling of loyalty, and the dangerous nature of their environments inevitably lead to their tragic downfall, highlighting the rockiness of success built on crime and illusion.

Furthermore, loyalty is tested in both movies. Henry's friendships with Jimmy Conway and Tommy DeVito collapse as greed and selfishness takes over, while Sam's bond with Nicky deteriorates due to violence and betrayal. Both men also navigate toxic marriages -- Sam with Ginger, and Henry with Karen -- damaged by adultery (Henry with Janice and Sandy; Ginger with Lester and Nicky), further sabotaging their lives.

Additionally, violence is another shared aspect: Nicky's unpredictably brutal behavior parallels Tommy DeVito, showing how aggression enforces authority while speeding up destruction. These similarities emphasize Scorsese's commentary: in an environment driven by ambition and desire, loyalty is fragile, betrayal has dangerous consequences, and both personal and professional relationships can crumble, making the ascend-and-descend route inescapable.

Conclusion: A Cautionary Tale Within The Crime World

30 years after its release, Casino remains a captivating examination of ambition, loyalty, and seductive yet destructive allure of wealth and status. Through excellent direction, stellar performances, and a story grounded in real-life events and people, Scorsese explores how personal desires and unchecked ambition can destroy both relationships and criminal enterprises. The movie's portrayal of Sam, Ginger, and Lester demonstrate the consequences of split loyalties, obsession, and moral failings, while the surge-and-recede arcs manifest the cruel realities of the Mafia.

Casino is more than just a typical gangster movie: it serves as a cautionary tale about how desire, obsession, and unrestrained personal impulses can wreck both lives and relationships.