“The Gambler”, 2014
Director: Rupert Wyatt
This film tells the story of a New York City English professor with a gambling addiction that affects his life and relationships.
Starring: Mark Wahlberg, John Goodman, Brie Larson, Michael Kenneth Williams, Jessica Lange, Anthony Kelley, Alvin Ing, Domenick Lombardozzi, Emory Cohen, Richard Schiff;
Production year: 2014;
Genre: thriller, drama, crime;
MPAA rating: r;
Duration: 111 min.;
Rating: IMDB: 6;
More information about the film “The Gambler” on the website imdb.com
“The Hustler”, 1961
Director: Robert Rossen
Featuring Paul Newman as “Fast” Eddie Felson, a small-time pool hustler who aspires to defeat the legendary Minnesota Fats.
Starring: Paul Newman, Jackie Gleason, Piper Laurie, George C. Scott, Myron McCormick, Murray Hamilton, Michael Constantine, Stefan Gierasch, Clifford A. Pellow, Jake LaMotta;
Production year: 1961;
Genre: drama, crime;
Age: 16+;
Duration: 134 min.;
Rating: IMDB: 8;
More information about the film “The Hustler” on the website imdb.com
“Casino”, 1995
Director: Martin Scorsese
Directed by Martin Scorsese, this epic crime drama illustrates the rise and fall of a gambling empire in Las Vegas, with Robert De Niro and Joe Pesci.
Starring: Robert De Niro, Sharon Stone, Joe Pesci, James Woods, Don Rickles, Alan King, Kevin Pollak, L.Q. Jones, Dick Smothers, Frank Vincent;
Production year: 1995;
Genre: drama, crime;
MPAA rating: r;
Duration: 171 min.;
Rating: IMDB: 8,2;
More information about the film “Casino” on the website imdb.com
“Rounders”, 1998
Director: John Dahl
Matt Damon stars as a reformed gambler who must play high-stakes poker to help a friend pay off loan sharks.
Starring: Matt Damon, Edward Norton, Gretchen Mol, John Turturro, John Malkovich, Famke Janssen, Martin Landau, Ray Iannicelli, Merwin Goldsmith, Michael Rispoli;
Production year: 1998;
Genre: drama, crime;
MPAA rating: r;
Duration: 121 min.;
Rating: IMDB: 7,3;
More information about the film “Rounders” on the website imdb.com
“Ocean's Eleven”, 2001
Director: Steven Soderbergh
Directed by Steven Soderbergh, this heist comedy follows Danny Ocean and his eleven accomplices as they plan to rob three Las Vegas casinos simultaneously.
Starring: George Clooney, Brad Pitt, Matt Damon, Julia Roberts, Andy Garcia, Casey Affleck, Scott Caan, Elliott Gould, Bernie Mac, Don Cheadle;
Production year: 2001;
Genre: crime, thriller;
MPAA rating: pg13;
Duration: 116 min.;
Rating: IMDB: 7,7;
More information about the film “Ocean's Eleven” on the website imdb.com
“21”, 2008
Director: Robert Luketic
Based on a true story, this film follows MIT students who are trained to become experts in card counting and subsequently take Vegas casinos for millions.
Starring: Jim Sturgess, Kevin Spacey, Kate Bosworth, Laurence Fishburne, Aaron Yoo, Liza Lapira, Jacob Pitts, Jack McGee, Josh Gad, Sam Golzari;
Production year: 2008;
Genre: thriller, drama, crime, history;
MPAA rating: pg13;
Duration: 117 min.;
Rating: IMDB: 6,8;
More information about the film “21” on the website imdb.com
“The Color of Money”, 1986
Director: Martin Scorsese
A sequel to “The Hustler,” featuring Paul Newman as a former pool hustler who takes a young protégé under his wing.
Starring: Paul Newman, Tom Cruise, Mary Elizabeth Mastrantonio, Helen Shaver, John Turturro, Bill Cobbs, Forest Whitaker, Elizabeth Bracco, Vito D'Ambrosio, Paul Herman;
Production year: 1986;
Genre: drama, sport;
MPAA rating: r;
Duration: 119 min.;
Rating: IMDB: 7;
More information about the film “The Color of Money” on the website imdb.com
“California Split”, 1974
Director: Robert Altman
This film explores the friendship between two gamblers and captures the essence of addiction to gambling and its highs and lows.
Starring: George Segal, Elliott Gould, Ann Prentiss, Gwen Welles, Edward Walsh, Joseph Walsh, Bert Remsen, Barbara London, Barbara Ruick, Jay Fletcher;
Production year: 1974;
Genre: drama, comedy;
MPAA rating: r;
Duration: 108 min.;
Rating: IMDB: 7,1;
More information about the film “California Split” on the website imdb.com
“Uncut Gems”, 2019
Director: Benny Safdie, Josh Safdie
Adam Sandler stars as a jewelry store owner with a gambling addiction who must retrieve an expensive gem he pawned to pay off his debts.
Starring: Adam Sandler, Julia Fox, Idina Menzel, LaKeith Stanfield, Kevin Garnett, Eric Bogosian, Keith William Richards, Judd Hirsch, Mike Francesa, Noa Fisher;
Production year: 2019;
Genre: thriller, drama, crime;
MPAA rating: r;
Duration: 135 min.;
Rating: IMDB: 7,4;
More information about the film “Uncut Gems” on the website imdb.com
“Croupier”, 1998
Director: Mike Hodges
Clive Owen plays a struggling writer who takes a job as a croupier and gets involved in the world of casino gambling and crime.
Starring: Clive Owen, Kate Hardie, Alex Kingston, Gina McKee, Nicholas Ball, Nick Reding, Alexander Morton, Barnaby Kay, John Radcliffe, Sheila Whitfield;
Production year: 1998;
Genre: drama, crime;
Duration: 94 min.;
Rating: IMDB: 7;
More information about the film “Croupier” on the website imdb.com
“The Sting”, 1973
Director: George Roy Hill
Set in the 1930s, this caper film features Robert Redford and Paul Newman as con men who pull off a complicated scheme to revenge a murdered friend by targeting a criminal banker with a penchant for gambling.
Starring: Paul Newman, Robert Redford, Robert Shaw, Charles Durning, Ray Walston, Eileen Brennan, Harold Gould, John Heffernan, Dana Elcar, Jack Kehoe;
Production year: 1973;
Genre: drama, comedy, crime;
MPAA rating: pg;
Duration: 129 min.;
Rating: IMDB: 8,3;
More information about the film “The Sting” on the website imdb.com
“Molly's Game”, 2017
Director: Aaron Sorkin
Based on a true story, Jessica Chastain portrays Molly Bloom, a former Olympic hopeful who runs the world's most exclusive high-stakes poker game and becomes an FBI target.
Starring: Jessica Chastain, Idris Elba, Kevin Costner, Michael Cera, Jeremy Strong, Chris O'Dowd, J.C. MacKenzie, Brian d'Arcy James, Bill Camp, Graham Greene;
Production year: 2017;
Genre: biography, crime, drama;
MPAA rating: r;
Duration: 140 min.;
Rating: IMDB: 7,4;
These films offer varied perspectives on the allure of gambling, the perils of addiction, and the array of characters who populate these stories, from the players to the house.
In conclusion, films about gambling often present a thrilling exploration of risk, reward, and human emotion, tapping into the inherent allure of the unknown that exists within us all. Whether showcasing the glittering allure of high-stakes casinos, the transformative journeys of its protagonists, or the darker consequences of addiction, these films delve into complex narratives that captivate and resonate with audiences. Through nuanced performances, compelling storytelling, and a vivid portrayal of the gambling scene, these films not only entertain but also offer profound reflections on the nature of luck, choice, and destiny, leaving an indelible impact on the landscape of cinema.
