Croupier (1998)

An aspiring writer is hired as a croupier at a casino, where he realizes that his life as a croupier would make a great novel.

Director:

Mike Hodges

Writer:

Paul Mayersberg

Stars:

Clive Owen, Nick Reding, Nicholas Ball

1 win & 1 nomination.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Clive Owen	...	Jack Manfred
Nick Reding	...	Giles Cremorne
Nicholas Ball	...	Jack Snr.
Alexander Morton	...	David Reynolds
Barnaby Kay	...	Car Dealer
Gina McKee	...	Marion Nell
John Radcliffe	...	Barber
Sheila Whitfield	...	Manicurist
David Hamilton	...	Casino Supervisor
Carol Davis	...	Table Supervisor
Eddie Osei	...	West Indian Punter
Doremy Vernon	...	Woman I
Claudine Carter	...	Woman II
Ursula Alberts	...	Madame Claude
Neville Phillips	...	White Haired Man

Storyline

Jack Manfred is an aspiring writer going nowhere fast. To make ends meet, and against his better judgement, he takes a job as a croupier. He finds himself drawn into the casino world and the job gradually takes over his life; his relationship with girlfriend Marion begins to deteriorate. One gambler in particular catches his attention: Jani, whom he starts to see outside of working hours - a serious violation of casino rules. Jani is down on her luck; under pressure from her creditors she approaches Jack, asking him to be the inside man for a planned heist at the casino. Jack carefully considers the odds; it all looks so simple, but even a professional like Jack can't predict the cards he will be dealt.

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Plot Keywords:

casino | croupier | gambler | novel | writer | 

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Taglines:

Life's a Gamble

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Genres:

Crime | Drama

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Certificate:

Unrated

Details

Country:

France UK Germany Ireland

Language:

English

Release Date:

21 April 2000 (USA)

Also Known As:

A krupié

Filming Locations:

Infostudios, Monheim, North Rhine - Westphalia, Germany

Box Office

Opening Weekend:

£41,843 (UK) (29 June 2001)

Gross:

£308,470 (UK) (6 July 2001)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Arte, Channel Four Films, La Sept-Arte

Technical Specs

Runtime:

94 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Sat on the shelf for two years before release.

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Goofs

When Mr. Reynolds asks Jack to pay out 1800 in 25s, he only pays him out 1700.

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Quotes

[first lines]
Jack: [self reflection] Now he had become the still center of that spinning wheel of misfortune. The world turned 'round him leaving him miraculously untouched. The croupier had reached his goal. He no longer heard the sound of the ball.

User Reviews

Stylish and clever

I liked some things in this movie. One was that it was narrated in the 3rd person by the star (usually it's someone else who narrates in the third person), another is that I saw a world I didn't know about before. Sure, I know about casinos and bosses and workers, but I didn't know how it worked in Britain. In fact, I saw this as a British version of Casino (except without the mob and violence, though there is some violence). Also, Clive Owen makes a great lead as Jack, who goes through changes in his careers as a writer and a croupier. Possibly the best film to come from Britain this year (so far).