Cinema rose to prominence as an art form in the past century. The early part of the 20th century is often called the Golden Age of Cinema, as it was an era when directors were not afraid to innovate on both the technical and the philosophical level. Experimental films that tackle taboo topics were the standard during that time.
Censorship and regulation curbed Hollywood’s creativity come the middle of the century. But directors were still able to address risqué topics even then. One such theme that continues to grip many filmmakers today is gambling.
The modern era has seen a rise in digital gambling and even land-based casinos are getting more and more popular. So it doesn’t come as a shock that many directors are fascinated by the concept. Some all-time classic films deal with the topic. But how do 21st century directors stack when compared to all time chart hits of the past?
Casino Royale (2006)
The history of James Bond is truly a fascinating example of how a fictional creation can outshine its creator. The MI6 spy has become a pop cultural staple in the world of cinema, to a point where many fans are not even aware of his literary origins. Even those that are familiar with Fleming’s pulpy and fast-paced action spy novels are often surprised to learn that the first film in the Bond franchise does not adapt the first novel.
It wasn’t until the twenty-first installment in the franchise that Hollywood finally got around to adapting “Casino Royale.” And what an adaptation it was. Stacked to the brim with star power and created with the explicit aim of revitalizing and rebooting the franchise, Martin Campbell’s Casino Royale is a tour de force in the action genre. The film’s name obviously reveals that much of the plot takes place in one of the world’s grandest casinos, inspired by the famous establishment in Monte Carlo.
It is hard to say why it took the movie industry four decades to adapt the first novel of this iconic franchise. But what we can say is that the film captures perfectly Ian Fleming’s own passion for gambling. The scene where Daniel Craig and Mads Mikkelsen play Texas Hold ‘em will likely remain one of the most iconic gambling altercations in cinema. The two actors deliver a performance that will certainly made some of the classic Bond actors who crossed galaxies to perform in iconic franchises of the past century proud.
The Hangover (2009)
Todd Philips is perhaps best-known to a modern audience for his exemplary Joker film, and the controversial sequel that put many fans off the director. But in the second decade of the modern century, the director’s name was most commonly associated with one of the most iconic comedies of the era. The Hangover follows a quartet of friends who visit Las Vegas for a bachelor party that goes south.
Vegas remains the biggest gambling destination in the world to this day. Tourists visit Sin City to indulge in vices that would be condemned anywhere else. So it is only natural that our main characters end up embroiled in a series of bizarre adventures. The twist will be well-known to most movie buffs by now of course; they remember nothing of it by the next morning. What is worse, the groom is gone and his three best friends have to search high and low to find him.
The Hangover was such a huge success that it spawned two sequels and dozens of imitators. But none of them have been able to replicate what made the first installment a success. The original understood what made people love and sneer at Sin City. Todd Philips even went the extra mile of including references to Edward O. Thorp and his book that changed the industry. The film is in no way about gambling. But casinos and blackjack are integral to its identity.
Uncut Gems (2019)
Josh and Benny Safdie are perhaps next only to the Coen brothers in their status as an iconic duo of filmmakers. The siblings are known mostly for the unique pace and energy that they bring to their films. The fast-paced drama that exudes from the screen is so infectious that some of their work has been called an emulation of anxiety. Most critics and fans agree that their magnum opus came at the end of the decade when they released Uncut Gems.
The film stars Adam Sandler in the uncharacteristically serious role of Howie Ratner. Howard is desperate to maintain a marriage, business, affair and a relationship with his kids. Throughout it all he is also constantly wagering on basketball and growing his debt to the mafia. The film is a spectacular examination of a gambler’s psychology. It also examines the difference between casual betting and problem gambling. One might ponder how thin the line between the two truly is upon watching this film.
Molly’s Game (2017)
The final entry we are looking at is a gambling film that is actually based on the real story of Molly Bloom. Bloom had a bright career ahead of her as a professional skier. But a freak accident made it so she would have to pursue her wealth elsewhere. She certainly had a few options open to her, but the direction she decided to go with was quite unorthodox. Molly Bloom decided to run high-stakes underground poker tournaments.
Molly’s story is naturally engaging, so it unsurprisingly works well as a film. But add to it the quick-witted writing of Aaron Sorkin and the talents of some of Hollywood’s best actors and you have a recipe for success. Savvy film fans may even catch references to some of the characters in the film that remain unnamed. Many suspect that Michael Cera’s Player X character is based off of the Spider-Man actor who began the superhero craze, Toby Maguire. Maguire is a huge fan of poker and has been spotted numerous times at various tables, so the suspicion is not far-fetched.