Croupier launched Clive Owen’s filming career. Croupier is 1998 film, with such a well researched plot that the film was even received very well by the professional croupiers.
Clive Owen’s basic skill is writing but as he is running short of money his father helps him to be employed as a croupier. He has some experience of the job, while he was in South Africa. Not forgetting his aspirations to be a writer, he is on the job to support him. But once inside the casino he realizes that, that exactly is his novel. The casino provides best environment to look at the behavior of people, their greed and insecurity. Betting provides him much needed insight into the human nature.
I particularly like a scene in which he helps an old man, who desperately wants to win. He watches him as the old man bets the won money on another game. He concludes that humans never change.
Soon he is transformed from an observer to a player without him being aware of it. He justifies his action by convincing himself that he is just collecting the material for his book. He starts breaking his own rule especially regarding a gambler Jani. He starts falling for the gambler. Jani is at a low point in his life and is being pursued by the people who are asking their money to be returned.
Before Owen knows he is accomplice in a plot originally thought by Jani.
The tagline says “Life’s a gamble”. How true!
Croupier
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