by Greg Aubrey
But while some of the biggest gambling films in cinematic history (such as Casino, Bugsy and Hard Eight) were filmed over 20 years ago, that doesn’t mean the 21st century has been a slouch when it comes to making movies on the subject. Here are four of the best to get you in the mood next time you fancy a flutter online or in-person at your favourite casino.
Uncut Gems
Recently ranked as the best 21st century movie about gambling (and the third best ever) by Vulture magazine, Uncut Gems tells the story of incorrigible gambler and jeweller Howard Ratner. Played with a surprisingly deft touch by Adam Sandler in an uncharacteristically serious role, Howard likes to live life on the edge and the entire film is a non-stop nail-biter that never lets the adrenaline drop for a single second.
The Hangover
While The Hangover is perhaps more about a crazy night out in Las Vegas and its aftermath than it is about gambling per se, there is still plenty on the line for the three stooges at its centre. The film features an incredible cast and laugh-a-minute scripting, while it’s also one of the best movies set in Las Vegas to have been filmed in the 21st century. For a cinematic experience that will have you chomping at the bit to board a plane to Nevada, there’s nothing quite like this comic masterpiece.
Molly’s Game
Aaron Sorkin’s directorial debut focuses on the real-life story of Molly Bloom, an ex-Olympic skier who suffers a career-ending injury and must rejig her priorities. Channeling the same determination and self-assurance which saw her reach dizzy heights on the slopes, Molly turns to the world of underground poker to make her fame and fortune. Molly’s Game is perhaps a little heavy on the too-cool-for-school dialogue and a little fast-and-loose when it comes to the facts of the real woman’s life, but an enjoyable romp about betting nonetheless.
Ocean’s Eleven
Set almost entirely inside a casino, this heist film is dripping with Hollywood A-listers. Undoubtedly the biggest box office success on this list, Ocean’s Eleven spawned a seemingly interminable number of sequels, though none could quite hit the heights of the first offering. The 2001 film is itself a remake of the original movie from the ’60s, but George Clooney, Matt Damon et al bring to it their own inimitable charm, earning it a place in this list.
What are your views? Have we missed out a modern classic on gambling and casinos? Have your say in the comments section below.
