With a great cast and direction from Martin Scorsese Casino is a gangster film like no other. It may not have the pizzazz of Goodfellas but it is much more complex and gives its actors a lot of room to pull off genuine performances. In particular, Robert De Niro is nothing short of amazing in his portrayal of Sam “Ace” Rothstein. He understands how to convey the complexities of the character with a single look or silence. He is also accompanied by Sharon Stone who brings an elegance to her performance as Ginger.
James Woods may not be a household name, but he brings the right amount of slimy to his character Lester. It is a shame he did not work with Scorsese more often as he was a wonderful addition to the cast. The film also features a few other familiar faces such as Paul Sorvino and Steve Buscemi, who both bring their usual flair to the screen.
Scorsese uses a number of different directing styles throughout the film. He starts off the opening with fast cuts and stylized, documentary-like footage that feels as entertaining as it is informative. The style eventually evolves to a more conventional approach as the story continues to progress. While it may seem jarring at first, this transition is seamless and does not take away from the enjoyment of the film.