In entertainment, the blending of gambling and movies gives birth to a very captivating genre. And several movie producing companies and directors have tapped successfully into this. This has led to producing several movies that provide a thrilling escape into the world of high-stakes gambling.
Thus, this article delves into the world of casinos fused with movies. Here, we will explore some of the best gambling movies in history and how they intertwine the two industries. Here we go!
Ocean’s Eleven (2001)
While the Ocean’s Eleven movie is more about a heist, it is one of the industry’s most renowned gambling movies ever produced. And this is mainly because the heist location was none other than a casino in Las Vegas.
So, with the characters seeming to be actual casino gamers, they head to the casino to scout their destination. And from the early scene, where two main characters play against each other at a card table, no one suspects a thing. But as the movie progresses, the casino workers would learn that well-dressed guests do not necessarily imply good intentions.
Furthermore, by recruiting the perfect cast for each character, the movie producers achieved the razzle and dazzle that comes with Las Vegas casino players. This perfect cast ensemble thus makes the movie the highest-grossing gambling film made.
Casino Royale (2006)
Any gambling movie list would be incomplete without mentioning at least one James Bond movie. And what better project to name in the franchise than the Casino Royale? This film casts Daniel Craig as the famous James Bond, featuring other top-dog actors like Eva Green and Mads Mikkelsen.
Although it is a movie about British intelligence operatives and their undercover doings, it intertwines this with gambling activities. Here, the movie portrays Bond playing a dangerous high-roller poker tournament. And with the addition of an intense plot, it adds more excitement for the viewers.
The Casino Royale gives the audience a glimpse of the allure of a gambling hall. It also showcases the tension in the air when players test out their luck and skill.
Mississippi Grind (2015)
It is no small fit to make a new friend and convince them to go on a cross-road trip with you. And it is only something that Ben Mendelssohn’s character, Gerry could pull off. The movie features two unlikely friends where one deems the other a good luck charm and recruits him to a cross-country high-stakes poker game.
Sometimes the movie may take a dark turn but more often than not, it is comical and you are sure to roll on the floor laughing. But then what else do you expect from Mississippi Grind, a movie that casts Ryan Reynolds?
If you haven’t, you should check this film out if not for anything but the actors’ performances alone.
Molly’s Game (2017)
Aaron Sorkin, a renowned screenplay writer, made his first debut as a director with this movie, and what a fine debut it was. Molly’s Game is a true-life story about a lady who blooms in a male-dominated industry. And this serves as one of the main appeals of the film.
Molly Bloom began her career as a successful skier until she got involved in an unfortunate accident. This caused her to lose her ability leading to her shifting attention to the gambling world – poker, to be precise. There, she slowly and steadily climbed to the top where she became the queen, organizing high-roller games.
In the movie, Jessica Chastain plays the role of Molly Bloom, and boy, did she kill it? The film also features Idris Elba in a supporting role and humorous cameo appearances from Joe Keery and Chris O’Dowd. What a great watch!
Uncut Gems (2019)
Uncut Gems is a movie targeted at sobering up gamblers who are addicted to the lifestyle, or so it seems. The film starts by showing Howard Ratner who owns a jewelry store attempting to battle his addiction. However, Howard, who cannot but give in to his hopeless addiction, keeps doing so until it turns out to be his bane.
What makes this movie worth watching is Adam Sandler’s ability to draw us into his character as Howard. He rightly portrays his ‘sickness’, making viewers think he could pull off the trick he had up his sleeve. And to be fair, he did pull it off, but not before he….
No, we won’t give you spoilers, check it out yourself. It is worth all the hype it gets and more.
With this movie, the directors, Josh and Benny Safdie created brilliance surrounding their protagonist, who was doomed from the start. And here’s the crazy part; even after seeing this film, some may still be tempted to return to the gambling rush as soon as possible. But then, it wouldn’t be an addiction otherwise, right?
Conclusion
The mix of gambling and entertainment in the form of cinema appeals to enthusiasts of both industries. So, if you have yet to check out any of the abovementioned film titles, you’re missing out on a whole new experience.
