Hollywood has long had a fascination with casinos. After all, what’s not to love? They’re glitzy, glamorous and full of people staking their hopes on life-changing sums of money. At least, that’s what we’re led to believe.
But, in between James Bond and his opulent martini-drinking sophistication, and the Rainman counting cards for his capitalistic brother, there are some movie scenes that hit the nail on the head. And actually depict more true-to-life scenarios that we can all relate to.
So, with that in mind, here are 4 of the most realistic movie scenes throughout movie history.
The Gambler (1974)
A gritty take on gambling, James Caan plays an English professor with a serious addiction in The Gambler. This 1974 classic shows the darker underbelly of the Vegas casino world. And Caan’s character finds himself at an underground poker game, using borrowed money. Will he win or lose? You’ll have to watch the movie to find out.
All in all, this movie is the perfect insight to what a gambler’s life is like. He goes from dizzying highs to all-time lows, seemingly on a daily basis. And the glorious casino floors of the 1970’s provide the perfect backdrop to this rollercoaster of a story, where one man battles his own demons, along with some pretty serious loan sharks.
Runner Runner (2013)
A more modern take on gambling, Runner Runner sees Justin Timberlake’s character fall foul of an online casino scam, where he’s cheated out of a poker game.
This movie is interesting because it moves the focus away from the glitz and glamour of land-based establishments. And, instead, approaches gambling from a more personal stance. And we follow Timberlake’s journey as he tracks down the man he believes cheated him, played by Ben Affleck.
Furthermore, there are loads of convincing scenes in this movie, and we love that this story looks at the phenomenon that is online casino gambling, which became a popular way for college students to earn more money in the States.
In fact, online casino gaming is still popular with young adults in the USA today. And at sites such as Casino.xyz, you can browse hundreds of casinos to find suitable alternatives. Just don’t get sucked in by Ben Affleck at a poker table!
Casino (1995)
As the name suggests, this movie is another snapshot into Vegas casino life. With an all-star cast, including Robert De Niro, Joe Pesci and Sharon Stone, Casino is the story of two friends trying to out-do each other in the cut-throat gambling industry.
One is a mafia enforcer, and the other is a casino executive. But their friendship is put to the test, as they get sucked deeper into a world where cash is king.
When it comes to selecting a realistic scene, there are almost too many to choose from. But, one that stands out for us is when Joe Pesci reaches breaking point at a blackjack table. Pesci’s intense energy perfectly represents a man who has spent too long at the tables, and who’s long overdue a break, but won’t hear of it. Here, we feel sorry for the dealer, who is forced to act as a sounding board for Pesci’s foul mouth.
This scene is a perfect mix of frustration, anger and desperation on Pesci’s part. And, on the flip-side, we can see the poor dealer who just wants his shift to end so that he can get out of the situation as soon as possible. Not to mention, his own frustration at not being able to react as a customer throws cards directly into his face.
21 (2008)
This movie is based on the true story of a bunch of MIT students recruited by a conman to scam a string of Vegas casinos. And, it’s made even crazier by the fact that the movie is based on tru events.
With a name like 21, you can probably guess that blackjack is the game of choice here. And these bright-eyed mathematicians are naive, innocent but excellent at counting cards.
So, when Spacey’s character promises them better grades, and a load of cash, these kids start to lose their way.
One scene that stands out is the first time the main character sits down at a blackjack table. We get an insight into exactly what he calculates while playing his very first hand of blackjack. And the tension is palpable, to say the least. After all, not only is he trying to win his hand, he’s also trying to keep cool and not alert the casino bosses to what he’s doing.
This is an excellent moment in the film, and the turning point of when this young maths whizz becomes a master criminal. Even if he doesn’t know it yet.
