I’m not a gambler but I suppose many are like me in that the images of the kind of high-end gambling supplied by James Bond in the "Belle Epoch" casino at Monte Carlo are glamorous and captivating – a kind of very special rush.

The Casino and the Hotel de Paris in Monte Carlo.

The Cannes Casino, at one a time, was of the same style as the one in Monte Carlo, but, regrettably, was razed in 1989 to make room for the new Palais du Festivals - too many, a loss and a pity.

The winter casino in Cannes - a far cry in elegance from a few short decades ago.

One of my favorite pastimes was to get “all dressed up” (not trans-dressed-up but in a tie, dark suit) and spend an evening at the old Casino. I would observe the players at the games of roulette, baccarat and chemin de fer. I can still see sun-glassed, tuxedoed, darker-complexioned older men standing behind stunningly beautiful, expensively gowned much younger women signaling ever so subtly to the croupier to allow the woman to continue her bet.The Casino looked like a movie set and at times, the stars were there. One quiet evening I found myself rubbing elbows with a wistful and bored-looking Marcello Mastroanni who was cordial and devastatingly handsome (as my then wife attested enthusiastically). At another time, I glimpsed Sophia Loren with her husband, producer Carlo Ponti, being ushered into the private gaming rooms where the high-rollers played.Of course, gambling has changed so dramatically in the past decade – it’s open to literally everyone via the internet in North America, and the ubiquitous slot machines are everywhere.I was in Las Vegas recently and was stunned to see the growth of the city and its evolution from a desert outpost for just barely legal activities to a full-fledged theme park for adults and games of the sort that you don’t report. As the advertising goes, like in AA, “what happens in Las Vegas stays in Las Vegas.”

The Las Vegas Strip at night.

So the exclusivity of gambling, once associated with Monte Carlo and Cannes is gone, but in Monte Carlo, at least, the great Casino still stands – a modicum of dress standards remain – and the private rooms are still there, utilized by the very rich from all parts of Europe and by those who come from the other side of the Mediterranean Sea to what is, for them, still illicit and forbidden pleasure.There are many very good movies that deal with gambling and this kind of “high society” action, but I like “Croupier” starring the then about to be discovered star Clive Owen, and directed by Mike Hodges.

Movie Review:

The Croupier

Directed by Mike Hodges — Channel Four Films 2000
Starring: Clive Owen

A superbly written, acted and directed film set in the after-sundown “bent” landscapes of the British Casino. Fundamentally, a low-key and suspenseful thriller, it takes you on a calm journey through duplicity, desperation and danger.

The contrived atmosphere of the casino.

Jack (Clive Owen, in his breakthrough role) is a writer looking for a subject and decides to return to work as a croupier and use the casino as the background for his novel. His hero, Jake, becomes more enmeshed with his real self, Jack, and the story then enfolds.Jack, by the way, is the son of an inveterate gambler and conman, as well as a highly-skilled croupier having been born and trained in the casinos of Sun City, South Africa. I infer that Jack’s disdain for gamblers and gambling comes from the pathetic state of his father.

Jack/Jake at work and gamblers at play.

The movie has an unusual amount of voice-over as the inner voice of Jack/Jake comments somewhat relentlessly on the action. Some of the lines: “Gamblers are born liars.” “Gamblers aren’t just interested in self-destruction but in destroying everyone around them – family, lovers, etc.” “I hate this job and I hate cheaters.” I have always loved a good movie, particularly one that introduces a new or different view of a familiar environment, has an intricate plot with fascinating but believable characters and let’s us enjoy the work of new players – who are clearly of “star” quality. "Croupier" is just that.

The essence of the "con" of the story.

As well, for any of us who deal with our own human frailty and character imperfections on a near-to-daily basis (and who doesn’t?), a good movie holds up the proverbial mirror and, once again, we see ourselves – sadly, but, sometimes we see hope as well. “Croupier” provides that too, I think.In addition, it is a very well made and imaginative film – it reads like a very good book; the running time passes quickly and the ending is surprising.Mike Hodges does not make many movies, but when he does, they most often are very good and often are somewhat overlooked. For example, he directed the original British gangster film "Get Carter," with Michael Cane in 1971. More recently he directed two outstanding low-budget films of the dark variety: "A Prayer for the Dying" and "I’ll Sleep When I’m Dead," both starring Clive Owen. I think it’s clear that Mike Hodges discovered Clive Owen! “Croupier” was noticed (but not enough) and Clive Owen is now a full-fledged movie star! I would say that that fact — plus its “quiet” excellence — is enough for rental or inclusion in a library.