The casino as a place of problems and addiction
“21: Blackjack” (21, 2008)
This film, based on true events, shows how a group of students from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology use their math skills to cheat the casinos in Las Vegas by playing blackjack. While they initially enjoy success, they eventually face the consequences of their deceit.
“The Gambler” (Owning Mahowny, 2003)
This film, based on true events, tells the story of a bank employee who suffers from compulsive gambling and who stole millions of dollars to satisfy his addiction.
Romanticism of casinos and gambling
“Casino Royale” (2006)
This movie about James Bond, the spy 007, presents the casino as a place of luxury and excitement. Bond engages in a high-stakes game of poker against his adversary, creating an image of the casino as an arena for intrigue and heroic fighting.
“Ocean’s Eleven: Match Up” (2001)
In this film, a group of professional thieves plan to rob three casinos in Las Vegas. Casinos here are portrayed as shining symbols of wealth and glamour.
The purpose of these representations and their closeness to reality
Films that expose casino issues often seek to draw attention to gambling-related issues, such as gambling addiction and criminal activity. These movies are close to reality in that they show the possible consequences of gambling. On the other hand, movies that romanticize casinos often use these scenes for dramatic effect and introduce elements of luxury and excitement. However, they can give a distorted representation of reality, diverting the focus from the possible risks and negative consequences of participating in games of chance. Ultimately, how accurately the cinema portrays reality depends on the specific film. However, it’s important to remember that while film can be a powerful storytelling tool, it often romanticizes or simplifies complex issues in order to entertain an audience. At the same time, it is impossible to say which of the presented films shows the most realistic image, since the casino is a multifaceted area. With all the glitter, it really does have issues that everyone should know about. For this reason, all the films presented in this selection are mandatory viewing, because the truth, as always, is in the middle. Therefore, everyone must find it for themselves.
