Casino (1995)
Postmodern Gangster Thriller
A Universal Studios Film. Directed by Martin Scorsese. Written by Nicholas Pileggi and Martin Scorsese. Book by Nicholas Pileggi. Produced by Barbara De Fina. Cinematography by Robert Richardson. Edited by Thelma Schoonmaker. Casting by Ellen Lewis. Production Design by Dante Ferreti. Art Direction by Jack G. Taylor. Set Decoration by Rick Simpson. Costume Design by Rita Ryack and John Dunn. Running Time: 178 minutes. Cast: Robert De Niro (Sam “Ace” Rothstein), Sharon Stone (Ginger McKenna), Joe Pesci (Nicky Santoro), James Woods (Lester Diamond), Don Rickles (Billy Sherbert), Alan King (Andy Stone), Kevin Pollack (Phillip Green), L.Q. Jones (Dick Webb), Dick Smothers (Senator), Frank Vincent (Frank Marino), John Bloom (Don Ward), Pasquale Cajano (Remo Gaggi), Melissa Prophet (Jennifer Santoro), Bill Allison (John Nance), Vinny Vella (Artie Piscano) “This is a fictional story with fictional characters adapted from a true story.” This disclaimer which appears during the ending credits to Martin Scorsese’s 1995 film Casino seems to epitomize this Postmodern gangster film’s tenuous relationship to reality. Although based on the actual lives of gangsters Frank “Lefty” Rosenthal and Tony “The Ant” Spilotro, screenwriters Scorsese and Nicholas Pileggi opted to take enormous liberties with the historical data on the two men. The resulting disclaimer, confusing and seemingly selfcontradictory, reflects Postmodernism’s lack of faith in objective models of reality. As such, Postmodern filmmakers often construct subjective, unrealistic worlds for their pictures – even when, as in Scorsese’s case, they are trying to get at deeper philosophical truths. Casino demonstrates its subjectivity through the dual points of view that drive the film. Within the opening scene, the audience is introduced to Sam “Ace” Rothstein walking across a