"Croupier" is about gambling, yes, and a heist does occur somewhere in the film, but don’t go expecting "Ocean’s Eleven" or "The Good Thief." There are no tense shootouts or close calls. "Croupier" is a meditation on the subject, and it offers insight into a world that only exists behind closed casino doors. As for Clive Owen, he delivers his performance with a quiet and understated acting technique that consistently works. He is detached, stoic, professional, and completely restrained. The writer, Paul Mayersberg, doesn’t give Jack depth or development because, frankly, he doesn’t need to. Jack is more of an enigma than an actual person and as ambiguous and two-dimensional as his character is, we can’t help but feel some sort of connection. Jack is intriguing and mysterious, and Owen delivers each word with complete confidence. Overall, "Croupier" is a gambling film for the smart movie-goer. It is methodical and calculating, with deep-seeded tension that slowly mounts as it progresses.
I don't really like Clive Owen as an actor - he's incredibly mannered and dead behind the eyes - never more so than in this, his lacklustre audition for James Bond. Add to that he clearly does none of the dealing in the film and it make you wonder what Mike Hodges was thinking. It seems to be a fairly admired film, the idea and the setting are good, but I found the script clumsy and laboured, scrabbling for cool and falling very short, and it has dated horribly- the cinematography and production design make it look more like a late 80s than late 90s movie - the super impressive bank of b&w screens and VHS recording equipment in the casino's "crows nest" in particular made me laugh. Alex Kingston is the saving grace, pulling off a believable South African accent and having screen presence to spare, unlike Gina McKee who is pretty terrible in every scene.
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StefanoEarnest
"Croupier" is about gambling, yes, and a heist does occur somewhere in the film, but don’t go expecting "Ocean’s Eleven" or "The Good Thief." There are no tense shootouts or close calls. "Croupier" is a meditation on the subject, and it offers insight into a world that only exists behind closed casino doors. As for Clive Owen, he delivers his performance with a quiet and understated acting technique that consistently works. He is detached, stoic, professional, and completely restrained. The writer, Paul Mayersberg, doesn’t give Jack depth or development because, frankly, he doesn’t need to. Jack is more of an enigma than an actual person and as ambiguous and two-dimensional as his character is, we can’t help but feel some sort of connection. Jack is intriguing and mysterious, and Owen delivers each word with complete confidence. Overall, "Croupier" is a gambling film for the smart movie-goer. It is methodical and calculating, with deep-seeded tension that slowly mounts as it progresses.Ralf
Endlessly fascinating character drama.MM
Great neo-noirMMDan
KanopyPublius
This is my favourite movie ever.dombrewer
I don't really like Clive Owen as an actor - he's incredibly mannered and dead behind the eyes - never more so than in this, his lacklustre audition for James Bond. Add to that he clearly does none of the dealing in the film and it make you wonder what Mike Hodges was thinking. It seems to be a fairly admired film, the idea and the setting are good, but I found the script clumsy and laboured, scrabbling for cool and falling very short, and it has dated horribly- the cinematography and production design make it look more like a late 80s than late 90s movie - the super impressive bank of b&w screens and VHS recording equipment in the casino's "crows nest" in particular made me laugh. Alex Kingston is the saving grace, pulling off a believable South African accent and having screen presence to spare, unlike Gina McKee who is pretty terrible in every scene.