How movies catch the glitz and glamour of casinos
Casino play has always been popular, even before the digital age came along to make games accessible to everyone. The drama of the turn of a card or the spin of a roulette wheel has been keeping players entertained for decades.
That entertainment has helped casinos to become a regular feature of certain movies. Often, there will be a heist in prospect, or a high-stakes poker game becomes a focal point of the plot.
With that in mind, which are the best casino movies of all time, and why do film producers keep returning to this theme?
Peak interest
Both the movie industry and the casino sector are enjoying a boom period right now. Despite global economic challenges from the last few years, each continues to provide impressive revenue figures.
For those who like a night out, there are many different ways in which local cinemas can showcase the latest blockbusters. Physical casinos are also in place for those who like to play a few poker games out in the real world.
Anyone who enjoys a more sedentary lifestyle can also benefit the casino and film industries. Renting or streaming is a growing practice, while the abundance of online operators means that games lovers can enjoy poker games, blackjack, roulette, slots and more without leaving their homes.
Both are success stories in the current era, and that popularity helps to make them perfect partners.
Key elements
There are common elements of casino play that transfer perfectly to the fictional big screen. We have already touched on the glamorous side to casinos, many of which are situated in exotic locations around the world.
Filmgoers enjoy escapism, and that element of luxury is a perfect fit.
Next, we have the drama that comes with certain casino games. The tension builds whenever the roulette wheel is spun, or the dealer turns over the final card at the end of a poker hand. This is why we see so many poker games across several notable films, and the drama involved becomes essential to the backstory.
It may also be the case that there is an element of mystery that comes with visiting a casino. What, exactly, goes on in there? The rise in online casino play makes this more accessible, but many of us have yet to visit a bricks and mortar establishment out in the real world.
Many of the best casino-related movies look to embellish the myth, and they raise viewers’ interests as they do so. All of these elements have been widely covered by the film industry, and there are some excellent examples that underline this fact.
Essential storylines
All heist movies need a target, and a casino is a perfect option. We’ve seen this most notably in Ocean’s 11 and the subsequent sequels. There should obviously be a considerable amount of money kept in the location but, by using a casino, there is a touch of glamour added to the storylines.
Based on an earlier release from 1960, Ocean’s Eleven focuses on Danny Ocean, played in this 2001 remake by George Clooney. Ocean and his gang plan to rob three casinos simultaneously in the most daring of heists.
There is drama and a comedy element to this film, and it’s also fascinating to understand the workings of a casino. While many other releases use the casino as a setting, Ocean’s Eleven is the perfect example.
The name’s Bond
The most famous movie-based casino player of all time is James Bond. We’ve seen 007 take on high stakes poker games in films such as Casino Royale, where there’s more at stake than just money.
The second edition of Casino Royale from 2006 saw Daniel Craig make his debut as Bond, and it’s a classic case of casino play being integral to the plot. The premise is that a high-profile banker is funding terrorist activities, and our hero can save the world if he cleans him out at the poker table.
Bond’s favourite game initially was baccarat, but it doesn’t matter what he’s playing. The point is that the glamour of the casino setting is a perfect location for the world’s most famous fictional spy.
These are just a few of the many movies that have featured casino play as part of their central theme. There have been others, but the titles on the list have captured the thrills and drama of casinos better than the rest.
Moving forward, we can be certain that future releases will continue to employ this theme. We’ve seen why casinos are so prevalent in movies as they provide a thrilling and glamorous backdrop to the main plot. Other titles focus firmly on the element of casino play and they build the rest of the movie around it.
The productions will keep coming, but will they be able to match the high standards of some of their predecessors?
