Five Best Gambling Films
There are quite a few films set in the casino environment. Most of them, however, are rather terrible. The thrill of gambling is not transferred to the silver screen as easily as some directors seem to think. But there are some good gambling films, and these are the top five.
The Sting, 1973
The Sting is without a doubt one of the best gambling-related movies ever made. Robert Redford teams up with Paul Newman as the con men Johnny Hooker and Henry Gondroff. Together, they pull a swindle on mobster Doyle Lonnegan, who has a history of cheating, betraying and was the one who murdered Hooker's gambling partner Luther. Anyway, The Sting really deserved the Oscar for Best Picture - it's truly a masterpiece.
Casino, 1995
This film, starring Robert De Niro, Sharon Stone and Joe Pesci, describes the two sides of Las Vegas. First, there is the glamorous, glittery and fancy side with its high rollers, cocktail waitresses and men in expressive suits. But then there is also a violent and brutal side, which is run by greedy mobsters who are not shy to pull a gun. Casino is set in the middle of this paradox.
Rounders, 1998
Rounders has become a cult classic for those who started playing Texas Hold'em in the late 90s. In this film, law-student Mike McDermott (Matt Damon) loses $25,000 in what is supposed to be the last poker hand in his life. But then Worm (Edward Norton,) Mike's childhood friend, comes along. Together they decide to win the money back and pay Mike's debts, but this becomes a quite bumpy journey.
The Cooler, 2003
Bernie Lootz is a born looser. When he pours milk into his coffee, it's always sour; and when he makes a wager at the blackjack table, he always loses. Lootz constant bad luck gives him the perfect employment - he becomes a cooler - someone who can walk up to a table in a casino, and instantly, all players start to lose. But along comes a girl that turns everything upside down, which is not very appreciated by Lootz's boss.
California Split, 1974
In this forgotten masterpiece by Robert Altman we get to follow the degenerate gamblers Charlie Waters (Elliott Gould) and Bill Denny (George Segal). They meet randomly at different gambling locations in California. Together the new found friends go on a gambling spree that changes their lives forever. The film is set mainly in casinos and card rooms and features former WSOP champion Amarillo 'Slim' Preston as himself.
A Film to Avoid
High Roller - Stuey, 2003
High Roller is a film about poker legend Stu Ungar. However, it's the biggest disappointment of the 21st century.
