Casino Jack (2010)

Director:

George Hickenlooper

Writer (WGA):

Norman Snider (written by)

Release Date:

28 December 2010 (Estonia)

Genre:

Biography | Comedy | Crime | Drama

Tagline:

Honor. Integrity. Principles. Everything is Negotiable.

Plot:

A hot shot Washington DC lobbyist and his protégé go down hard as their schemes to peddle influence lead to corruption and murder.

Plot Keywords:

Lobbyist | Corruption | Washington D.C. | Murder | Washington D.C. Lobbyist

Awards:

Nominated for Golden Globe. Another 1 win

Cast

Kevin Spacey	...	Jack Abramoff
Ruth Marshall	...	Susan Schmidt
Graham Greene	...	Bernie Sprague
Hannah Endicott-Douglas	...	Sarah Abramoff
Barry Pepper	...	Michael Scanlon
John Robinson	...	Federal Agent Patterson
Jason Weinberg	...	Snake
Spencer Garrett	...	Tom DeLay
Yok Come Ho	...	Asian Factory Worker
Anna Hardwick	...	Lobbyist #2
John David Whalen	...	Kevin Ring
Matt Gordon	...	Bill Jarrell
Jeffrey R. Smith	...	Grover Norquist
Christian Campbell	...	Ralph Reed
Eric Schweig	...	Chief Poncho
Ksen Shims	...	Flight Attendant (St. Andrews) (as Xenia Siamas)
Jeff Pustil	...	Bob Ney
Rachelle Lefevre	...	Emily Miller
Paolo Mancini	...	Scott Gleason
Cindy Dolenc	...	Female Friend
Nancy Beatty	...	Enid
Damir Andrei	...	Manny Rouvelas
Stephen Chambers	...	Art Dimopoulos
Kelly Preston	...	Pam Abramoff
Oksana Kuznichenko	...	Blackjack Dealer
Jon Lovitz	...	Adam Kidan
Paul Stephen	...	Reverend Mueller
David Fraser	...	Karl Rove
Pamela Matthews	...	Woman at Meeting
Natalie Krill	...	Flight Attendant (Crystal)
PJ Lazic	...	Chris (as P.J. Lazic)
Daniel Kash	...	Gus Boulis
Mike Petersen	...	Senator Jarvis
Reid Morgan	...	Brian
Adam Waxman	...	Lobbyist #1
Yannick Bisson	...	Oscar Carillo
Tina Louise Bomberry	...	Drinking Companion
Tony Stellisano	...	Roulette Operator
Mark-Cameron Fraser	...	Concierge
Balford Gordon	...	Bodyguard (Kidan)
Billy Merasty	...	Bartender
Maury Chaykin	...	Big Tony
Karl Campbell	...	Security Guy
Conrad Pla	...	Agent Hanley
Danielle Bourgon	...	Female FBI Agent
Joe Pingue	...	Little Tony
Ashley Wolfe	...	White House Aide
Linda Goranson	...	President Bush's Secretary
Brent Mendenhall	...	President Bush
Andrea Davis	...	Delay's Secretary
Richard Clarkin	...	Partner #1
Richard Blackburn	...	Partner #2
Judah Katz	...	Abbe Lowell
Brian Paul	...	Senator McCain
David Brandon George	...	Senator Burman
Duke Redbird	...	Senator Nighthorse
Todd Dulmage	...	Spectator #1
Rob Baker	...	Spectator #2
Janet Hill	...	Native Woman
Kirstin Rae Hinton	...	Junior Studio Executive (as Kirstin Hinton)
Kevin Louis	...	Prison Guard
Timothy Watters	...	President Clinton
John Hickenlooper	...	Senator Campbell
Graham Abbey	...	Simon Bowler
Mishael Morgan	...	Receptionist
Jennifer Higgin	...	Casino Woman
Bettina Bennett	...	Natascha
Mike Kaminski	...	Voice Impersonation
rest of cast listed alphabetically:
Jack Newman	...	Deli owner
Xen Sia	...	Stewrdess
Brendan Carmody	...	Cruise ship DJ (uncredited)
Heather Farah	...	Business Woman (uncredited)
Sima Fisher	...	Aquaintance (uncredited)
Kim Shimizu	...	FBI agent (uncredited)

Directed by
George Hickenlooper

Writing credits (WGA)
Norman Snider		(written by)

Produced by
Dana Brunetti	....	executive producer
Rick Chad	....	associate producer
Patricia Eberle	....	executive producer
Oscar Generale	....	executive producer
Gary Howsam	....	producer
Bill Marks	....	producer
Warren Nimchuk	....	executive producer
Angelo Paletta	....	executive producer
Richard Rionda Del Castro	....	executive producer
Domenic Serafino	....	executive producer
Norman Snider	....	co-producer
Lewin Webb	....	executive producer
George Zakk	....	producer
Donald Zuckerman	....	executive producer

Original Music by
Jonathan Goldsmith

Cinematography by
Adam Swica

Film Editing by
William Steinkamp

Casting by
Marjorie Lecker

Production Design by
Matthew Davies

Art Direction by
Peter Emmink

Set Decoration by
Patricia Cuccia

Costume Design by
Debra Hanson

Makeup Department
Marlene Aarons	....	makeup artist
Paul R.J. Elliot	....	hair department head (as Paul Elliot)
Cliona Furey	....	hair stylist
Jo-Ann MacNeil	....	assistant makeup department head
Donald Mowat	....	makeup department head
Sondra Treilhard	....	assistant hair department head

Production Management
D.J. Carson	....	unit production manager
Gregor Hutchison	....	post-production supervisor
Caroline O'Brien	....	production manager: second unit

Second Unit Director or Assistant Director
Jonnie Katz	....	first assistant director: second unit
Bill Marks	....	second unit director
Greg Sigurdson	....	assistant director
Ken A. Smith	....	second assistant director
Martin Walters	....	first assistant director
Karen Young	....	third assistant director

Art Department
Rob Ballantyne	....	storyboard artist
Peter Clifford	....	on-set dresser
Dwight Doerksen	....	construction coordinator
Ed Doerkson	....	head carpenter
Neil Floyd	....	second assistant art director
Jennifer Jacobsen	....	set decorations buyer
William Koon	....	key scenic
Sang Maier	....	props assistant
Mario Moreira	....	assistant property master
James R. Murray	....	property master
Gord Peterson	....	first assistant art director
J. Zachary Smith	....	set dresser (as Zack Smith)

Sound Department
Sean Paul Armstrong	....	second boom operator
Steve Baine	....	foley artist
David Berti	....	sound consultant: Dolby
Matt Dawson	....	adr mixer
Keith Elliott	....	sound re-recording mixer
Paul Germann	....	sound effects editor
Barry Gilmore	....	adr editor
Barry Gilmore	....	dialogue editor
Gina Gyles	....	foley assistant
Colin McLellan	....	adr recordist
Steve Medeiros	....	first assistant sound editor
Steve Munro	....	sound effects editor
Peter Persaud	....	foley recordist
Jane Tattersall	....	supervising sound editor
Andrew Tay	....	sound re-recording mixer
John J. Thomson	....	sound mixer
Alan Zielonko	....	boom operator
Mark Zsifkovits	....	sound re-recording mixer

Special Effects by
John MacGillivray	....	special effects coordinator
Fiona MacPherson	....	special effects shop coordinator

Visual Effects by
Kyle Boylen	....	digital compositor
Drake Conrad	....	digital colorist
Noel Hooper	....	visual effects supervisor
Matthias Jürgensen	....	digital compositor
Haydn Masuda	....	digital compositor
Michael Morley	....	digital compositor
Christa Tazzeo	....	visual effects producer
Neil Williamson	....	visual effects executive producer

Stunts
Kelly Jones	....	stunt double: Kidan
Cotton Mather	....	stunt double: Boulis
Alison Reid	....	stunt coordinator
Geoff Williams	....	stunt double: Big Tony

Camera and Electrical Department
Rod Benjamin	....	key grip
Dave Erlichman	....	dolly grip
Roger Finlay	....	camera operator: 'b' camera
Roger Finlay	....	director of photography: second unit
Colin Hoult	....	camera operator: "a" camera
Bernie Lalonde	....	grip
Mike McGowan	....	director of photography: second unit
Brian Pruitt	....	key grip: second unit, Florida
Razor Reyes	....	grip (as Ramon Reyes)
Neil Roy	....	best boy grip
Darren Spriet	....	data management
Jesse Stanley	....	grip
Brendan Steacy	....	director of photography: second unit
John Sztejnmiler	....	generator operator
Franco Tata	....	gaffer
Annie Wengenroth	....	additional assistant camera
Ken Woroner	....	still photographer

Casting Department
Heather Farah	....	extras casting assistant
Ellen Jacoby	....	extras casting: location
Jane Rogers	....	background casting

Costume and Wardrobe Department
Catherine Ashton	....	assistant costume designer
Andre Schulz	....	costumer: Kevin Spacey

Editorial Department
Kevin Downer	....	assistant digital intermediate editor
Lee Hughes	....	digital intermediate project manager
Tom Mayclim	....	digital intermediate scanner and recorder
Dave Muscat	....	assistant digital intermediate editor
Lorraine Samuel	....	post-production coordinator
Dawn M. Stoliar	....	first assistant editor
Motassem Younes	....	digital intermediate editor

Music Department
Kevin Banks	....	music editor
Michael Banton-Jones	....	score recording engineer & mixer
Carl Berger	....	musician
Cadence	....	musician
Amy Fritz	....	music supervisor
Aaron Jensen	....	musician
Ross Lynde	....	musician
Dan Parr	....	conductor
Dan Parr	....	orchestrator
Kurt Sampson	....	musician

Transportation Department
John Mourtzis	....	picture car captain
Regina Petrik	....	driver
Bruce Raymer	....	transportation coordinator
Reg Reynolds	....	driver: honeywagon
Steven Sacrob	....	transportation captain

Other crew
Cynthia Amsden	....	unit publicist
Cam Cannon	....	development executive: hannibal pictures
Jonathan Collins	....	director of sales
Claude Forest	....	insurance broker
Paul Franklin	....	location scout
Sabine Graham	....	production coordinator
Sara Holmes	....	post production accountant
Ben Hong	....	production assistant
Aaron Horton	....	assistant production coordinator
Ronan Keane	....	payroll accountant
Hayley Magouirk	....	project manager
Jennifer Mesich	....	assistant to director
Lindsey Molnar	....	production assistant
Andrew O'Sullivan	....	location manager
Daniela Saioni	....	script supervisor
Wendie Saltarski	....	production accountant
Teri Spasov	....	production accountant
Srdjan Vilotijevic	....	assistant location manager
Al Vrkljan	....	armorer
Danny Webber	....	legal counsel
Greg Whiteside	....	satellite technician
Eardley Wilmot	....	location manager

Thanks
Peter Barnes	....	special thanks
Cybill Lui	....	special thanks
Rod Lurie	....	special thanks
Jason Reitman	....	special thanks

Production Companies

• Bagman (2009)
• Rollercoaster Entertainment
• An Olive Branch Productions
• Vortex Words Pictures
• Hannibal Pictures
• MCG
• Trigger Street Productions

Distributors

• ATO Pictures (2010) (USA) (theatrical)
• Chance In (2012) (Japan) (theatrical)
• Comstock Group (2012) (Japan) (theatrical)
• 20th Century Fox Home Entertainment (2011) (USA) (DVD)
• 20th Century Fox Home Entertainment (2011) (USA) (DVD) (Blu-ray)
• Atlantic Film (2010) (Denmark) (all media)
• Atlantic Film (2010) (Norway) (all media)
• Atlantic Film (2010) (Sweden) (DVD)
• Atlantic Film (2010) (Sweden) (DVD) (Blu-ray)
• E1 Entertainment (2010) (Canada) (all media)
• Eagle Films (2010) (non-USA) (all media) (Middle East)
• Hollywood C.E. (2010) (Czech Republic) (all media)
• Incognito Films (2010) (Estonia) (all media)
• Incognito Films (2010) (Latvia) (all media)
• Incognito Films (2010) (Lithuania) (all media)
• Lusomundo Audiovisuais (2010) (Portugal) (all media)
• MG Film (2010) (Croatia) (all media)
• Marco Polo Productions (2011) (France) (all media)
• Monolith Films (2010) (Poland) (all media)
• Programs 4 Media (2010) (Romania) (all media)
• Signature Entertainment (2012) (UK) (DVD)
• Soyuz (2010) (Russia) (all media)
• Spentzos Films (2010) (Greece) (all media)
• StudioCanal (2012) (Germany) (DVD)
• Swen Entertainment (2010) (Colombia) (all media)
• Swen Entertainment (2010) (Paraguay) (all media)
• Swen Entertainment (2010) (Uruguay) (all media)
• Tanweer Films (2011) (Bangladesh) (all media)
• Tanweer Films (2011) (Bhutan) (all media)
• Tanweer Films (2011) (India) (all media)
• Tanweer Films (2011) (Maldives) (all media)
• Tanweer Films (2011) (Nepal) (all media)
• Tanweer Films (2011) (Pakistan) (all media)
• Tanweer Films (2011) (Sri Lanka) (all media)
• Zon Lusomundo Audiovisuais (2011) (Portugal) (all media)

Special Effects

• Acme F/X (special effects)
• Invisible Pictures (visual effects)

Other Companies

• Chapman/Leonard Studio Equipment  camera dollies
• Dolby Laboratories  sound mix
• Film Finances Canada  completion guarantor
• Filmport Studios  movie studio
• Gilded Pictures  consultant
• Hall Webber  legal services
• Internet On Set  satellite services
• Media Capital Group  interim financing by
• Movie Armaments Group  weapons supplied by
• Pinewood Toronto Studios  stages
• Tattersall Sound  avid rental
• Tattersall Sound  post-production facilities
• Tattersall Sound  sound post-production

Also Known As:

"Bagman" - International (English title) (alternative title), USA (working title)

MPAA:

Rated R for pervasive language, some violence and brief nudity

Runtime:

108 min

Country:

Canada

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Certification:

USA:R (certificate #46407) | Canada:14A (Alberta/British Columbia/Manitoba/Ontario) | Portugal:M/12 | Canada:G (Québec) | Singapore:NC-16 | South Korea:15 | UK:15

Filming Locations:

Royal York Hotel, Toronto, Ontario, Canada

Company:

Bagman (2009)

Trivia:

The real life Susan Schmidt played Jack's secretary in this movie.

Goofs:

Factual errors: When Michael Scanlon drives up to the SunSail cruise ship in Florida to see Gus Boulis, the front of his rental car has a Florida license plate. Additionally, another car appears with a Florida license on the front. License plates for automobiles are printed on one tag only and must be placed on the rear of the vehicle. Only commercial tractor trucks carry Florida plates on the front.

Quotes:

[first lines]
Jack Abramoff:You know, I do a shitload of reading and studying and praying, and I've come to a few conclusions I want to share. People look at politicians and celebrities on the TV and the newspapers, glossy magazines - what do they see? "I'm just like them." That's what they say. "I'm special. I'm different. I could be any one of them." Well guess what, you can't. You know why? Cause in reality, mediocrity is where most people live. Mediocrity is the elephant in the room. It's ubiquitous. Mediocrity in your schools. It's in your dreams. It's in your family. And those of us who know this - those of us who understand the disease of the dull - we do something about it. We do more because we have to. The deck was always stacked against us. You're either a big leaguer, or you're a slave clawing your way onto the "C" train. Some people say Jack Abramoff moves too fast. Jack Abramoff cuts corners. Well, I say to them, if that's the difference between me and my family having the good life and walkin' and using the subway every day, then so be it. I will not allow my family to be slaves. I will not allow the world I touch to be vanilla. You say I'm selfish? Fuck you! I give back. I give back plenty. You say I - I got a big ego? Fuck you twice! I'm humbly grateful for the wonderful gift that I've received here in America the greatest country on this planet. I'm Jack Abramoff. And oh, yeah, I work out every day.

Movie Connections:

References Papillon (1973)

Soundtrack:

Cheyenne Bus Stop Boarding Blues

"Casino Jack" features Kevin Spacey's best performance since 2005

"Casino Jack" tells the real life story of Jack Abramoff (Kevin Spacey), who at one time held a successful career as a lobbyist in Washington, DC. Abramoff, like most lobbyists, was paid by big companies and organizations to help convince Members of Congress to vote for or against certain things in the senate. The film focuses on a massive corruption scandal that led himself, two White House officials, and 10 other lobbyists and congressional members to be convicted. This film is an interesting and somewhat humorous tale of just how far greed and money will take you in America.

I am not a news junkie by any means but I do remember this news story when it happened back in 2006. For those who don't recall, Jack Abramoff became a big focus in the news back in 2006 because he was convicted of fraud, tax invasion, and conspiracy. The film itself never really discusses his sentence however focuses on all the events leading up to it. Now given the fact that this is a movie, I am sure they took some liberties on the story to make it more entertaining. I will have to admit however that this movie seemed pretty realistic and seemed like most of it was based on fact. The people involved in lobbying probably fear films like this because I am sure it shows their true colors. The film really shows how anyone can be bought for the right price and the right amount of negotiation.

Kevin Spacey nails the role of Jack Abramoff in the film. We all remember Spacey from the 1990's when he amazed us in "American Beauty," "L.A. Confidential," and "Usual Suspects" but recently his films just haven't been delivering. However, I am happy to say with "Casino Jack" I really enjoyed his role. It was a very interesting role, he was a little crazy, a bit of a smooth talker, but yet overall a likable guy. I noticed Spacey got nominated for a Golden Globe for his performance in this flick and I have to admit either him or Paul Giamatti should get it. This is the first time since 2005 where I think Spacey has actually found a role that fit him as an actor. He was really superb in this flick.

Other than Spacey, there were some good supporting actors here. Barry Pepper, does a good job of getting the audience to hate him. He plays a young clueless womanizer who is also a lobbyist helping out Jack. Kelly Preston plays Jack's wife and she doesn't have much of a part but does add a little bit of flair to some of the scenes. Jon Lovitz plays a great overweight and clueless man who doesn't know a thing about bad investments. He like Barry Pepper's character is also a bit of a womanizer but than again isn't that how most of those people in politics are.

The film was directed by George Hickenlooper, who oddly enough died before the film was actually released. This officially marks his final film as a director. I can't say I have seen any of his previous work but I definitely like his take on this story. It was a very dark and sometimes funny look at things. His vision for Spacey as I said above was dead on. Huckenlooper really unlocked the dark side of politics with this film and really showcased how everyone has a price and even the most likable guys can have dark side.

Norman Snider wrote the screenplay for "Casino Jack" and really did a wonderful job creating the man known to the world as Jack Abramoff. With the help of Hickenlooper directing, Snider's script really made these actors seem like the people they were suppose to present. The script itself was very well written with great dialogue and focused on some of the key elements of the scandal. Snider did an excellent job with character development and that is really what made the film work. This is a very character driven story so its good to see that Snider made it his priority to focus on that.

In the end, I think with the right marketing this film could have been a lot bigger. I was surprised to see how middle of the road most reviews were for this movie. I thought it was a really solid drama with some comedic elements and a great performance by Kevin Spacey. I also have to say that the tag line for the film, "Honor. Integrity. Principles. Everything is Negotiable" is a perfect summary for the movie. If you like films based on actual events with a well written story than you will probably like this. This is definitely a very political film and really does make most politicians and lobbyists look like complete asses but than again don't well all feel that way now? Isn't everyone in government a crook and about themselves? I think a lot of people tend to believe this and this movie only showcases that more. It was a well made and well acted movie and for that I give it solid marks.

MovieManMenzel's final rating for "Casino Jack" is a 8 out of 10. Kevin Spacey's performance is worth the price of admission alone.