Cast: William H. Macy, Maria Bello, Alec Baldwin, Paul Sorovino, Shawn Hatosy, Estella Warren, Ron Livingston, Joey Fatone, M.C. Gainey, Ellen Greene
Directed By: Wayne Kramer
Written By: Wayne Kramer & Frank Hannah
Cinematography By: James Whitaker
Editor: Arthur Coburn
This is a bruised heart love story. The main characters have to go through so much to be together plus it may not even be real. We aren’t talking about teenagers these people are middle aged and lead sad sack lives filled with pain and nothing to look forward to they have lived life and been crushed by it then they find each other.
This film is a welcome new voice in the world of cinema. I felt like I was seeing something new and original that was disguised as a run of the mill vegas Drama/thriller. The film is more of a Dark comedy then anything. The way you think certain scenes will end never do the filmmakers go for the surprise and it’s even more startling then you can imagine.
The Cast are all excellent William H. Macy uses his hangdog Midwestern looks to it’s full effect and reveals a sweet soul who has gotten a raw deal in life and has earned some good luck for once. Maria Bello is both good as a femme fatale and a innocent woman who has lived a hard life. Alec Baldwin is phenomenal this really was his comeback role showing he still has the goods. So good he got nominated for Best Supporting Actor
This film is rated NC-17 for the sex scenes. Where as to me, The violence is more explicit and disturbing then the love scenes.
The story follows a gambler who is in debt to a casino who they send to sit next to big winners as his bad luck seems to pass onto them when they are gambling allowing the house to always win. When he falls in love and is happy his good luck spreads and the casino can not have that happen. You even notice it in his clothes his suits fit better ad seem more tailored and as his luck improves so does the brightness around him.
The film shows the other side of Las Vegas the seedy underground more then the glitz and glamour. Plus it shows the old brutal Las Vegas where a man kept his word and people talked to each other. Luck seemed to exist. Having a good time and taking care of people were the most important thing. a playground for adults basically. Represented by Alec Baldwin's character. Versus the new computerized impersonal Las Vegas. where casinos are more run by businessmen. There are no games of chance it's all planned out. Where there are no second chances. Vegas now seems to be more about family entertainment and vacations.
Definitely a good addition to your film library
GRADE: B
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