From stylish roulette wheel cutaways to intense poker games, casino scenes have been a regular feature of Hollywood films for decades. However, if you’re in the mood for a film that delves a little deeper than the average blockbuster, we have some golden viewing tips for you. These four casino films about gambling provide food for thought, both about gambling and larger themes.
Runner Runner
This 2013 thriller received mixed reviews, but may still be worth watching for its content. Justin Timberlake plays student Richie, who loses his college tuition to a fraudulent gambling site. He travels to Costa Rica to confront the owner, Ivan Block. He then becomes entangled in a world of illegal practices and corruption, even getting into trouble with the FBI.
Runner Runner shows how dangerous online gambling can be if you play on unlicensed websites. Timberlake’s character is seduced by the promise of easy money and loses control as a result. The film also shows how power and money can corrupt people.
The Cooler
Budding love in an old-fashioned Las Vegas casino: what could be more romantic than that? In 2003’s The Cooler, we meet lonely unlucky Bernie Lootz, played by William H. Macy. He works in a casino as a so-called “cooler”, someone who radiates so much bad luck that other gamblers spontaneously lose. This works well until he falls in love with waitress Natalie, and his bad luck aura slowly disappears.
The central theme in this romantic comedy-drama is luck. The main character gradually comes to realise that luck is something intangible that can always change and that you cannot influence. A striking lesson when it comes to life, but also certainly in the context of gambling!
Uncut Gems
In 2019’s Uncut Gems, Adam Sandler shows his serious side. He plays a jeweller and gambling addict in New York who gets deeper and deeper into trouble by making risky bets. He hopes to pay off his debts by purchasing a rare black opal, but this plan quickly spirals out of control.
This intense crime thriller shows the dangers of chasing quick, big wins and reckless gambling. Through Sandler’s character, we see how devastating a gambling addiction can be and how it can lead to alienation from loved ones and endanger your own safety.
Mississippi Grind
For this 2015 comedy-drama, Ben Mendelsohn plays Gerry, an unlucky gambler with huge debts. While gambling, he meets the charming Curtis, played by Ryan Reynolds. Together they travel down the Mississippi towards a high-stakes poker tournament in New Orleans, hoping to turn their luck around and solve their financial problems.
Although Mississippi Grind also emphasises the destructive consequences of gambling addiction, it is at the same time a heart-warming story about friendship and an interesting character study. In addition, the film aptly depicts the emotional rollercoaster that gambling can be, with both high peaks and deep valleys.
Whether you play at Casino777.be or any other online casino, always remember to bet responsibly. Here at Casino777.be, we regard player well-being as our number one priority – check out our Responsible Gambling tips and tools page for more information.
