Is Casino Martin Scorsese's Most Underrated Film?

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Is Casino Martin Scorsese's Most Underrated Film?

The mere suggestion that a film starring Joe Pesci, Robert De Niro, and Sharon Stone could be underrated wouldn’t be a rational question for 99% of other movie directors. However, Martin Scorsese’s deep, varied filmography is amongst cinema history's most revered and prolific works. 

For most other directors, it’d be their magnum opus, but considering Scorsese has made several blockbuster movies that have stood the test of time, the question regarding Casino (1995) and where it stands in the Scorsese rankings can sometimes fly under the radar. 

So, the argument that Casino could be his most underrated film begins to make more sense when we consider it from this angle. But even in his catalog, does it still deserve that title, or does it not get the respect and admiration many believe it should warrant from critics and moviegoers?

Capturing The Casino Essence & Feel 

The premise of Casino revolves around Robert De Niro’s character, Sam Rothstein, a ruthless but savvy businessman who was the clean face and manager who oversaw the day-to-day operations of the Tangiers Casino. Few directors can paint a picture with imagery and cinematography in the spectacular manner that Scorsese can. 

However, Casino required a deft touch despite the explosive presence of Joe Pesci’s unhinged character and a few scenes that highlight why the film is R-rated. As the film’s title suggests, most of the film takes place on the casino floor, often shot from Rothstein’s perspective, following him around the table games and ensuring he keeps his eye on the activity and narrates large chunks of the story for the viewers. 

The film encapsulates the golden era of casino companies at that time, how the changing times ended up with a shift in ownership, and how business operations were overseen in Vegas as the mob's influence started to dwindle. 

Has The Film Stood The Test Of Time?

Casinos have long been at the forefront of societal changes, and even today, we’re seeing a surge in digital gamblers looking to play the same table games detailed in this Scorsese classic. 

The emergence of technology in casino gaming has meant that the industry has a much different digital feel these days. Modern roulette games, for instance, operate using the most advanced, sophisticated software, so any streaming from the live roulette table is immediately projected to the site. Online roulette table games exemplify why the market has become so strong, providing all of the tools and betting speed you’d expect in a land-based provider while not having to physically travel to a brick-and-mortar casino location. 

While companies are always looking for ways to enhance the casino table gaming experience - the digital offering has proven to be a hit for millions worldwide. Although Casino (1995) highlights what it was like in the gambling industry back then, it also thankfully represents a time when shady influence was not the problem it once was.

As with many other Scorsese classics, whether Raging Bull or Goodfellas, the latter of which is considered one of the greatest films ever made, some of Scorsese’s films have managed to simultaneously stand the test of time while representing a sample of a time that no longer exists. So, yes, we’d say Casino has managed to stand the test of time.

Is Casino Fairly Rated Or Underrated?

Casino was released at the height of Scorsese’s fame. After spending the previous two decades churning out the likes of Taxi Driver, Raging Bull, and Goodfellas, movie fans and critics were now glued to any project that the New Yorker decided to embark on. 

Given that Scorsese was uniting De Niro and Pesci for the first time since Goodfellas, anticipation was higher; the film was a box office success, and there was no doubt it would be given the standing of the director. 

However, as it was released between his golden period and his renaissance period, which included The Departed, Wolf Of Wall Street, and The Irishman more recently, there is a good argument that the film is overlooked as part of his broader catalog and that it is underrated, at least in our opinion anyway.

Final Thoughts

Casino's underrated status in the grand scheme of things is actually a testament to the quality and consistency of Scorsese’s work. Any other director would have it at the pinnacle of their work, but Scorsese has criticized his approach to this film in the past, saying it has no plot, which isn’t strictly true. 

Maybe the fact that Goodfellas and Taxi Driver were so impressive and groundbreaking meant that Casino, alongside other Scorsese flicks such as Cape Fear, The King of Comedy, and even his TV show Boardwalk Empire, can often be overlooked as worthy chapters of his highly decorated and timeless works. 

In any event, we know that opinions are objective, and although the critics like to think they have their finger on the pulse, it all boils down to personal preference. Take a look at social media or online reviews of Casino. You’ll quickly be able to see that there’s a cult audience for this classic, and with a 5-star cast, there’s no denying the film’s quality - but due to the ensemble cast, to say it’s his most underrated film is a stretch, but it’s certainly one of them.