When it comes to iconic American Landscapes, the glamour of Hollywood is only rivalled by the thrills of Las Vegas in the hearts and minds of tourists. Which is probably why so many film-makers have used the City of Sin as a set-piece over the years with various films capturing different sides of Nevada’s crown jewel. Here are a few great examples of movies that captured Vegas at it’s heart.
Casino- “Cheater’s Justice”
Martin Scorsese’s under-appreciated classic is set during the Vegas’ heyday where Casino’s were just beginning to make it big and the mob was still trying to get a hand into the lucrative industry. Throughout the movie, you get a feel for how Sam, played by Robert De Niro, managed to get ahead in such a competitive industry. While nowadays online casinos can offer free spins on sign up, back in the day you needed to have a comprehensive pitch and a way to keep high rollers happy. And, of course, to catch cheats.
There’s a scene early on where Robert De Niro’s character is overseeing the casino floor and gives a perfect rundown of life as a pit-boss, keeping his eye out for the cheaters he knows are operating. He spots a player winning at Blackjack consistently and, with cool analysis, works out how they’re doing it by eyeing the dealer’s hand and seeing who else can get a look. Of course, what happens next is what you’d expect from a Scorsese movie, but ensures those two won’t be cheating again any time soon.
While the world has moved on from the old days of Vegas, it still gives a good idea what the staff have to be looking out for at all times.
Rain Man- “Let’s play some cards”
But moving from cheating to more legitimate (if extremely difficult) methods of winning, in Rain Man Charlie and Ray head to Caesar’s Palace and so begins one of the most iconic scenes of a hot streak achieved by card-counting seen in a movie. Good enough that it’s been parodied in endless comedies since, but watching Charlie slowly realise that Ray has an almost supernatural advantage because of how his mind works and the bold bets placed after shows the brothers at their best. Only somewhat dampened by Ray’s attempt to win them money at big wheel that costs them $3,000. A reminder to stick to the games that you’re best at.
Ocean’s Eleven- “The Bellagio’s Fountains”
With an ending that’s full of heart and using an iconic fixture of the Vegas city, the Bellagio Fountain scene in Ocean’s Eleven is pretty special. The rest of the movie is dedicated to the importance this small crew puts on achieving their goal, the bond that develops and even though their leader is arrested, we get treated to a scene of the remaining 10, all getting away free, admiring the fountains at the Bellagio. Before one by one they go their separate ways. It’s an evocative moment that can surely be relatable to anyone who takes a trip to Vegas and finds they have to leave. Although, maybe not with Claire de Lune playing in the background.
