Croupier (2000)

Croupier is a very good film, that lacks in terms of excitement and overall story, though quite compelling. Clive Owen's character is a little bland on the exterior, though his inner dialogue throughout the film is very good, it's hard to care about the character. I especially loved Gina McKee as Marion. Killing her off, was an easy way out for the writer and quite disappointing. Many of the scenes feel like they were edited down quite a bit, either jumping ahead or not resolving. Which makes it feel rushed and mashed somewhat, with a short runtime. Croupier has quality content and is one of the better casino related films, though not up there with the likes of "Rounders" or "Owning Mahowny."

This is the Film that is Credited as the One that Put Clive Owens on the Map. Director Mike Hodges had Been on the Map Since 1971 with His Neo-Noir Classic "Get Carter". Hodges Never Quite Attained Anything Beyond Cult Movie Respect, but Owens, On the Other Hand, is Still On the Rise.It's a Smart, British-Neo-Noir This, With Voice-Over, Snappy Cynical Dialog, Icy-Cool Dames and Characters that Operate on the Fringes, Mostly Struggling with Life and Their Place In It. The Film has Atmosphere and Stunning Scenes in the Casino that Mirror and Reflect a Gaudy but Attractive World that is Forever in Reach, but Slippery.The Story is About a Writer/Gambler Who Writes but Doesn't Gamble and the People that Inhabit His Detachment. He Always Seems There but at a Distance, Observing, Making Notes, and Figuring Out the Odds and the Angles.It's a Slick Piece and a Low-Budget, Heady Art-Film with Noir Twists and a Suspense that is Sustaining. The Ending is Where Most Folks Cry Cheat as They Cash In Their Chips to Move On to Another Game of Cinema. But Odds Are as They Do, will Continue to Think About This Bit of British Sleight of Hand.

Croupier is an excellent icy-cool noir film. The movie has a David Mamet feel to it. I really enjoyed this movie, but the last 30 minutes left me a bit bewildered. Clive Owen is fantastic as the calm and cool Jack Manfred. A struggling writer, Jack takes up an offer from his seemingly estranged relationship with his bizarre dad to interview at a Casino for a Croupier job. Jack gets the job to the consternation of his girlfriend, Marion, who seems to be bi-polar. The requisite cast of delicious characters at the casino elevates Jack's coolness factor as he narrates in the 3rd person throughout the movie - to great effect. Croupier is a classic character study. The ethics & rules that Jack has placed upon him thru his employer get strained and blurred. The robbery scene was very disjointed and confusing - what happened? The death of Marion left more questions than answers and the revelation that Jack's dad was in fact behind the casino robbery was not developed enough. The movie flows so neatly and clean, I think it could have gone another 10 - 15 minutes with more development of the loose ends.

A struggling writer takes a job as a croupier (card dealer) at a casino, using his experiences to write a book. It seems that there is a lot going on in this film but there isn't really much of a plot - just a lot of little episodes reflecting on the central character. Owen is always interesting to watch and he's the main attraction here in one of his earliest starring roles, providing an edginess and sense of mystery to his character. Veteral British director Hodges, best known for "Get Carter," manages to create a brooding, threatening atmosphere. As such, the film never becomes boring despite the weak storyline, although ultimately it's not very satisfying either.