The United States is the only country in the world that produces gambling films. If you recall the 1973 film ‘The Sting,’ which was shot in Chicago, you can readily see why the United States dominates the casino-themed movie category. Casino, a 1995 film set in Las Vegas, is another example. However, there are a number of British-directed gambling films, and many of them were shot in the UK.
These movies are bound to give betting lovers an itch to place a little wager, and sometimes going to the casino isn’t always a viable option. Luckily for UK locals, there are tons of online betting providers which are regulated and completely safe to use. One should always conduct a little research to find a reliable information source about the differences between said providers, such as this UK list, which highlights the promotional offers and differences amongst some of the best online betting sites on the market. It might be seen as an extra hassle, but for new coming players, it can go a long way, and give them as many free bets as their initial deposit, and in some cases, even more! And now, onto the list…
Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels
The movie that made Jason Statham a worldwide sensation, this gambling comedy is always evergreen in people’s memories. A number of other performers had their careers take off as a result of the film. An unfortunate card game in London sets off a chain of events that is both thrilling and fascinating. They ended up in risky scenarios with two antique rifles, an enormous cache of cash and some potent strains. Guy Ritchie’s fame as a filmmaker grew as a result of this film, and he went on to direct more noteworthy films.
Revolver
To assist him to translate Lock, Stock & Two Smoking Barrels, Jason Statham was invited in by the director. When Jake Green was sentenced to prison for an offence he didn’t commit, Statham vowed to pay it back as a major gambler. A spectacular gambling game with his archenemy Dorothy Macha ended in an unexpected win for him. A cult following has grown around a film that was panned by critics all over the world. For those who enjoy “cracking things apart and digging around the inside,” Brian Orndorf referred to the film as “Donnie Darko.”
Croupier
Mike Hodges, the British director of this murky British casino film, has been dubbed “neo noir” by many because of the massive internal monologues, which are reminiscent of the early British and American detective movies. It was on its way to being nominated for an Academy Award when it was disqualified for being aired on Dutch television. Clive Owen portrayed the part of Jack Manfred, an aspiring author who took a job as a croupier to make ends meet. You’ll be amazed at the variety of gaming options available.
The underlying drama in gambling movies stems from the fact that they are, by their very nature, about risk. As this list improves, it’s no longer amusing to witness someone exercising caution and good judgement in the expectation of hitting the One Big Score. There are a lot of similarities between gamblers in gambling movies and senior cops who take one final case before retirement. They don’t normally wind up at a quiet house in upstate New York, counting their money.
Casino Royale
Daniel Craig reprises his role as British superspy James Bond in this high-stakes poker game against a known weapons dealer in this relaunch of the Bond franchise. To his credit, he persuaded superiors to cough over the $10 million required to enter the game, even though they had reservations about doing so. In the film, he does an excellent job of hypnotising the audience with his portrayal of the gaming experience. Those who see it will likely find themselves at the craps, blackjack, or roulette tables.
Snatch
Lock, Stock & Two Smoking Barrels is a sequel to the Guy Ritchie-directed film. Many deadly sports bookmakers, bent boxing promoters, Russian gangsters and pikeys may be found in this game. They’re all here for the same reason: to find the stolen diamond. However, we can also claim that Brad Pitt’s Irish accent is worth its weight in gold. Fast-paced writing peppered with brilliant one-liners makes this one of the strongest moments of the film.
Let it Ride
Richard Dreyfuss stars in this strange comedy about a gambling addict who, for one day, wins every single wager he places on a racetrack (even the big one). Instead of being a disaster, as it could be in a film like Uncut Gems, this merely serves as a silly romp through the 1980s. Teri Garr, Jennifer Tilly, and David Johansen all put up strong performances to help Let It Ride make the most of Dreyfuss’s craziness. However, this film is not shown at Gamblers Anonymous meetings, let’s just say.
The Cooler
The most endearing aspect of this endearing independence is: It’s Bernie’s (William H. Macy) duty to disrupt any high-winning roller’s run just by playing at the same craps table. Initially a sad and funny character study of a recovering gambling addict, The Cooler follows him as he works off his debt to casino boss Alec Baldwin‘s tough-guy boss, repaying his debt by serving as his go-to “cooler.” However, his luck changes when he falls in love with a good woman (Maria Bello’s weary cocktail waitress). In Wayne Kramer’s directorial debut, realism is sacrificed in favour of romance and sentimentality, and the result is less enjoyable than the setup. The role of a hangdog loser who hasn’t given up on himself was tailor-made for Macy, though.
