Croupier

1998 | Film Noir | 94 minutes | English

Info

Set in London, Jack Manfred is an aspiring writer going nowhere. Jack’s father gets him a job as a croupier in a casino. Jack grew up in South Africa learning the casino business from his father so he is readily hired. And he’s good. However this causes friction with his live-in girlfriend, Marion, who prefers Jack focus on his writing. One gambler, Jani de Villiers, seduces Jack after hours and convinces him to take part in a planned casino holdup. Jack will be well compensated for his role in the holdup and he accepts. The holdup is botched but Jack gathered enough material during this time to complete his novel. It becomes a success. Jack has money but the casino continues to be his life: He continues to work as a croupier and living in his basement flat.   

Cast
Clive Owen (Jack Manfred) / Nicholas Ball (Jack’s father) / Gina McKee (Marion Nell) / Alex Kingston (Jani de Villiers)
Why Stream This Film?
BBC film critic George Perry wrote the following: “For once here is a British noir film that is both tough and intelligent, and so well-researched that it will probably tell you more about how casinos work than had it been a documentary.”
  • Rotten Tomatoes Score (Critics Consensus): 96%
  • Metacritic Score: 75
Accolades
  • National Board of Review: Listed, Top Ten Films of the Year
  • Edgar Allan Poe Awards: Nominated, Best Picture
The movie knows its way around casinos and particularly observes how the dealers, with their strange and surreal jobs, tend to date one another instead of  outsiders. The movie also notices what complete indifference the dealers have for their gamblers: Whether they win or lose.
Roger Ebert

RogerEbert.com

Even while wearing the poker face that is an occupational necessity for his juicy title role, Clive Owens conveys a sharp, cynical intelligence that rolls off the screen in waves whenever he widens his glittering blue eyes. More than just a smoothly plotted casino-based thriller with a surprise ending, CROUPIER is a breezy meditation on life as a game of chance.
Stephen Holden

The New York Times

Cool and hypnotic, the British sleeper, CROUPIER, is a reminder that movies don’t have to wave their arms and scream to hold our interest. Stillness can be as riveting as frantic activity.
David Ansen

NEWSWEEK

YOU MIGHT ALSO CONSIDER:
Blood Simple

Blood Simple

Julian Marty owns a bar in Texas and suspects that Ray, his bartender, is having an affair with his wife Abby…

read more
Criss Cross

Criss Cross

Steve Thompson returns to Los Angeles to try and rekindle the relationship with his ex-wife Anna. He gets a job as a driver with an armored-truck company. It’s a bit complicated; even though Anna is now married to the mobster Slim Dundee…

read more
Contact

If you found this site helpful, please recommend it to a friend. We also welcome your comments.

info@streaming-flix.com / call 917-439-3364

P.O. Box 20038
New York, N.Y. 10075

0 Comments

Submit a Comment

Your email address will not be published.

Get weekly streaming recommendations delivered directly to your inbox

Kanbar Recommends—join our free mailing list to receive weekly selections of the best TV shows and movies available.

You have Successfully Subscribed!