Synopsis
A man finds his personal and professional loyalties divides by his new career at a casino in this crime drama. Jack Manfred (Clive Owen) is a cocky, supremely confident man who wants to be a writer. Jack's long struggle to finish his first novel has landed him deep in debt, and his father (Nicholas Ball) volunteers to get him a job in a casino in London. While Jack doesn't gamble himself, he has the dexterity (and enough contempt for the game) to be a good dealer. He's soon making a tidy living as a dealer, despite the objections of his girlfriend, Marion (Gina McKee), who thinks his job is taking him away from his true calling as a writer. Against the orders of his boss, Jack has a fling with Bella (Kate Hardie), another dealer at the casino, and allows himself to be seduced by one of his customers, Jani (Alex Kingston). However, it turns out Jani wants more than sex from Jack; she and her compatriots have a plan to rob the casino and they want Jack to be their man on the inside. Croupier was directed by Mike Hodges, whose first film was the classic British thriller Get Carter.
What Critics Say
If you've ever wondered what it would be like to be on the dealing end of a casino table, "Croupier" antes up.
Story
Anti-hero, Jack Manfred (Clive Owen), is a cold-hearted bloke who warms to the thrill of watching the "punters" lose in the London casino where he works. The twist: He really wants to write a novel, and he hopes to use his job to gather material for his book. While most gambling films focus on the bettor, "Croupier" explores the often-overlooked view from the dealer: the house rules they incessantly break, the temptation to cheat and the pressure of orchestrating the constant games.
Acting
You can't take your eyes off Owen, who is mesmerizing as the poker-faced dealer. He glides through his days and nights with a laconic stare, lying glibly to strangers and never missing a trick at the casino. Supporting performances add to the slightly seedy air. Alex Kingston (Dr. Elizabeth Corday on
"ER") affecting a bad South African accent, plays a gambler in debt (is there any other kind?) and Gina McKee is Jack's quietly conniving girlfriend.
Direction
Despite subtle plotlines, the film's pace never flags. Mike Hodges, who directed the Michael Caine classic "Get Carter," keeps false sentiment out of Manfred's story, developing it in measured, cool strokes. Along the way, viewers are lured into the seductive textures and sounds of the gaming tables -- cards fanned across the green felt, the click and whir of roulette balls.
Bottom Line
Not only will you think twice about chatting idly with your next blackjack dealer, you'll pick up a few new card tricks.
Spill.com puts a whole new spin on the "classic" movie review; turning dorky and dry into hilarious and hip. Spill's reviews are high-quality animated videos featuring a regular cast of comic personalities.