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 Rated PG-13 for nudity, language and content RATING CANADA... Rated AA for content, language and brief nudity |
Thriller You have to make a choice in life be a gambler or a croupier -- and live with your decision |
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Before I went to see this film I read all sorts of glowing reviews for CROUPIER directed by Mike Hodges. The older readers out there may remember Hodges directed the original GET CARTER starring Michael Caine. He seems to enjoy making movies that feature the seamer side of life. Life doesn't seem to get any seamer than in this film. After viewing this film I tell you that this not for everyone. It is highly unlikely that will ever show up ion a drive-in theatre or even your local commercial megaplex. It is in the art film realm. The acting is superb as is the directing but there were a few times that the plot lost me. Usually when The protagonists jumped from his real life tot that of his fictional character. You see Jack Manfred Clive Owen is a used up reporter who aspires to be a real writer of novels. Suffering from writer's block, Jack takes a job as a croupier to support his writing. He has done this before and he knows the pitfalls of being dragged back into the cards and the balls of London's gambling world. He goes into the job with a professional attitude that he hopes will get him through without being corrupted by the temptations he is sure to face. A croupier can never gamble unless he wants to lose his job. As Jack is paid he turns over his money to his girlfriend, Marion Neil (Gina McKee) to pay the rent Even though he did not want to return to this world he quickly gets drawn back into the world of gambling. He dyes his hair black and dresses professionally. He spots and catches cheats with ease. We are taught much about his world such as the fact that a croupier spins 40 balls an hour in roulette. Marion begins resenting his job. Jack tries to console her but she can sense that he is becoming mor and more morose. he starts to pay attention to a beautiful young woman who comes in to gamble often. He begins to enjoy the company of Jani de Villeirs played by ER's Alex Kingston. This quickly turns into an affair, which eventually leads to Jack to help her pay back debts she owes. This leads him into being offered 20,000 pounds to simply catch a card cheat allowing her debtors to rob the casino. He refuses but later he agrees to it as long as he is paid in advance. During the actual crime Jack is wounded and ends up in the hospital. There he is visited by a furious Marion who has found the money. She wants him to quit or she will leave him. Marion's death in a hit and run accident causes him to change and he finishes his novel I, Croupier which becomes a hit. The plot thickens at this point where we see what has been really going on in the background. Jack has gotten dragged into a plot that involves people he did not expect. We are treated to lots of little plots and double crosses. This film is well written, well acted and well worth seeing, if you do not want to see just another Hollywood movie. It is beautifully done and thoughtful. It is interesting how Hodges throws in the charcters from Jack's book. Sometimes it is hard to tell which life Jack is actually leading. The ending though not really original does come as a bit of a surprise. This is not a family film so do not take the kids. There is some brief nudity as well. So go to a theatre near you that specializes in art film, sit, enjoy and sip your frappuchino. |
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vjm@metrocity.com