Directed by:
Mike HodgesScreenplay:
Paul MayersbergCinematography:
Michael GarfathComposer:
Simon Fisher-TurnerCast:
Clive Owen, Alex Kingston, Gina McKee, Nicholas Ball, Nick Reding, Alexander Morton, Barnaby Kay, Rhona Mitra, Mark Long, Simon Fisher-Turner, Ozzie Yue (more)Plots(1)
All bets are off in London's gambling world when struggling writer Jack Manfred accepts his father's offer of a job as a croupier, out the cards of fate and fortune each night to casino patrons. As his relationship with his girlfriend, Marion, suffers from the strain of his new job, Jack finds his eye roving to a seductive gambler, Jani, who lures him into a dangerous robbery scheme with Jack positioned as the inside man. (official distributor synopsis)
(more)Reviews (2)
What the film has going for it is an interestingly told story and Clive Owen’s performance. It’s not an action film, the pace is far from frantic, but it doesn’t get boring even for a second. Although I have never been into gambling, for some reason I really enjoyed watching the ball being given the right spin by the croupier, as well as casino chips being moved about the table (mostly away from the players).
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Croupier has three undeniable strengths that make it rise above the average: Clive Owen, for whom this is his most notable role alongside Children of Men, and I could perfectly identify him with the main character; excellent knowledge of the setting; and the atmosphere of the bizarre world of players succumbing to the passion of gambling. The slow, at times almost hypnotic pace is driven by the protagonist's internal monologue, and the camera often plays with details. A unique film without flashy effects, but it really got under my skin. Overall impression: 90%.
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