- Croupier (film)
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Croupier 
Croupier DVD coverDirected by Mike Hodges Produced by Jonathan Cavendish
Christine RuppertWritten by Paul Mayersberg Starring Clive Owen
Alex Kingston
Gina McKee
Kate Hardie
Nicholas BallMusic by Simon Fisher-Turner Cinematography Michael Garfath Editing by Les Healey Release date(s) 18 June 1999 Running time 94 minutes Country United Kingdom Language English Croupier is a 1998 film starring Clive Owen as a croupier. Directed by Mike Hodges, the film was released by Image Entertainment on DVD in the USA, and Alliance Atlantis in Canada. Though intended as a feature film, it was shown on television in North America. It was also initially released in cinemas and drew a steady audience at the box office, attracting a strong critical following in North America, and helping to launch Clive Owen's acting career there.
Croupier was disqualified from the Academy Awards after it was shown on Dutch television.
The film has been classified as neo-noir. It uses interior monologues in the style of many early noir detective films.
Contents
Plot
Jack Manfred (Owen) is an aspiring writer going nowhere fast. To make ends meet and against his better judgment, 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 working hours—a serious violation of casino rules. Jani (Alex Kingston) 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 cannot predict the cards which he will be dealt.
Cast
- Clive Owen... Jack Manfred
- Kate Hardie... Bella
- Alex Kingston... Jani de Villiers
- Gina McKee... Marion Nell
- Nicholas Ball... Jack Snr.
- Alexander Morton... David Reynolds
- Nick Reding... Giles Cremorne
- Paul Reynolds... Matt
- Barnaby Kay... Car Dealer
Reception
The film critics aggregate website Rotten Tomatoes gave a 98% positive rating based on 53 reviews.[1] Critic Roger Ebert gave the film three stars, remarking that the point of the film was not the plot, but the atmosphere and characterzation. He also lauded the realistic depiction of the casino itself.[2] Stephen Holden in the New York Times called the movie, "a breezy meditation on life as a game of chance".[3]
The film grossed $6,201,143 at the North American box office, and a further $ 873,925 internationally.[4]
References
External links
- Croupier at the Internet Movie Database
Films directed by Mike Hodges 1970s 1980s Flash Gordon (1980) · Morons from Outer Space (1985) · A Prayer for the Dying (1987) · Black Rainbow (1989)1990s Croupier (1998)2000s I'll Sleep When I'm Dead (2003)Categories:- 1999 films
- British films
- English-language films
- 1998 films
- British crime films
- Gambling films
- Films directed by Mike Hodges
- Neo-noir
- Films set in London
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