Film Review: Croupier (1998)
Mike Hodges, a British director, has had a varied and intriguing filmography, but his work has never quite received the critical acclaim or cult status that his debut feature, Get Carter, did. However, one film that has come close to matching that level of success for Hodges is the stylish 1998 thriller "Croupier."
The plot follows Jack Manfred (played by Clive Owen), an aspiring writer who takes a job as a croupier at a London casino both in order to make ends meet and in order to find inspiration for his next novel. Jack grew up in South Africa as a son of professional gambler Jack Sr. (played by Nicholas Ball), but made a conscious decision not to follow his footsteps and gamble. His new job, which appals his girlfriend Marion (played by Gina McKee), store detective and former policewoman, gives him opportunity to observe variety of characters who indulge in gambling. Jack finds himself very good at his job, which requires him to follow strict rules against fraternisation with other staff and especially with casino’s customers. Jack ultimately breaks those rules, first with female croupier Bella (played by Kate Hardee) and, later, with Jani De Villiers (played by Alex Kingston), gambler who proves to be sexual manipulator and tries to seduce Jack into taking part in daring casino robbery.
Croupier benefits from a well-researched script by Paul Mayersberg, which lends a high level of authenticity to the world of London casinos and their staff. But it is Hodges who gives the film a strong "noirish" vibe, with Jack's detached and cynical perspective told through voice over narration, as well as the presence of at least one classic femme fatale character, played by Alex Kingston. The film's greatest asset is Owen's performance as Jack, which is both intellectual and cold, and his good looks make his relationships with three different women convincing. His portrayal of Jack in a tuxedo is particularly memorable and helped to create a lot of buzz around him as a potential replacement for Pierce Brosnan as the new James Bond.
The rest of the cast, including Kate Hardie as the "girl next door" and Gina McKee as the "good girl," is solid, but they all seem to be overshadowed by Owen's charisma and talent. The film's relative lack of action and slow tempo may be off-putting to some viewers, and it's possible that this is why the film was shelved for two years before being released. However, those who watch Croupier will ultimately be pleased and reminded of Hodges' undeniable talent, which was first seen in his celebrated debut.
RATING: 7/10 (+++)
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