Casino is one of Martin Scorsese’s more harrowing films. It’s a story about the mafia, money, and inevitably – downfall. Its underlying theme is that no one can stay on top forever. It’s a lesson that can be applied to any aspect of life, but is particularly relevant in the world of gambling.

In the film, we’re introduced to a group of characters that aren’t particularly likeable, but they all have their place in the story. Robert De Niro’s performance as Ace Rothstein is especially captivating. He is able to portray the ruthless businessman that isn’t as easy to like as he may seem at first glance, but he’s also a man who cares about his family and is just as capable of being manipulative as any other mobster.

James Woods also gives a standout performance as Lester. He is a different character from the ones we’re used to seeing in Scorsese’s work, but he adds another layer of complexity to the film. His character is the perfect foil for Sam’s scumbaggery and he plays it off well.

As for the setting, few movies have captured Vegas as thoroughly as this one. Casino feels like a documentary in many ways, and it lays bare the tangled web of corruption that centered around Vegas at the time. Its tendrils reached into politicians, the Teamsters unions, and even a Midwest mob based out of Kansas City. The movie made us feel like eavesdroppers on an actual tale from Sin City.