Casino (R, 1995)

common sense media says

Violent story of vice and virtue not for kids.


parents & educators say
  • 100% say violence is an issue
  • 100% say sexual content is an issue

What parents need to know

Parents need to know that this movie tells the story of Las Vegas and the people who ran it, by legitimate means and otherwise. Mob rule and mob violence run through the film. There are several shootings and killings, and a few graphic and upsetting scenes of torture. Relationships, romantic and otherwise, are also at the film's center, and there are several sex scenes, with some female semi-nudity. A female character is referred to as a "hustler" and marries a man for his wealth and power. There is strong language throughout the film. One of the characters has a drug and alcohol problem, and most characters drink. There are some upsetting scenes of a child endangered by the neglect of a parent. Corruption and outright larceny are part of character lifestyles. It's worth noting that most characters suffer for their vices.

Positive messages: Corruption, violence, and betrayal abound. Ethnic slurs crop up frequently.
Violence: Mob-related beatings and killings, some graphic scenes of torture, explosions, child abuse.
Sex: Male/female relationships, some nudity, onscreen depictions of sex and oral sex, one character is a sex worker for part of the film.
Language: Characters swear frequently.
Consumerism: High class car logos displayed as a status symbol, jewelry name brands named.
Drinking, drugs, & smoking: Excessive drinking, onscreen drug use, a parent mistreats a child under the influence of controlled substances.

More on Casino

What to talk about

Talk to your kids
Families can talk about the competing forces of good and bad that all of the characters face. Who is corrupt in this movie? Who is pure? How do good intentions lead to bad results? Families might also want to explore the idea of loyalty. Is anyone safe from the crime family that supports the casino?

What's the story?

What's the story?

Sam "Ace" Rothstein (Robert DeNiro) is an honest man in a city of corruption, but his efforts to fly straight as a casino boss are upset by his wife Ginger (Sharon Stone) and psychopathic childhood friend Nicky (Joe Pesci). Sam follows rules, respects competence and loyalty, and works hard. Nicky relies on strong-arm tactics to build his own empire of riches and fear. Complicating the lives of both men is Ginger, formerly an independent and shrewd "hustler" on the casino circuit who agrees to marry Sam for security, and soon loses her happiness and sanity along with her freedom.

Is it any good?

Is it any good?
 

CASINO is a film by legendary director Martin Scorsese, who is famous for the movies Taxi Driver and Scarface. Scorsese has an enduring interest in the lives and workings of underworld figures and their lives, blown up to epic proportions, and Casino is no exception. The rise and fall of Sam's Tangeirs casino is told in different narrative voices and vignettes so that the nearly three-hour long film never becomes dull. The tension between Nicky and Sam, the narrators, grows as their ways of running business become more and more different.

For all of its violence and tragedy, Casino is a beautiful, often exuberant movie. It has a relentless soundtrack of jazz and classic rock, and moments of humor and goodwill. Older teens and parents might enjoy this film; younger and more sensitive viewers will find it too upsetting.

Movie themes & details

Movie Details
Studio: Universal Pictures
Director: Martin Scorsese
Cast: Joe Pesci, Robert De Niro, Sharon Stone
Genre: Drama
Run time: 179 minutes
Theatrical release: January 1, 1995
DVD release: June 14, 2005
MPAA Rating: R
MPAA explanation: strong brutal violence, pervasive strong language, drug use and some sexuality.

This review was written by Ellen Twadell
 
 

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What parents & educators say

13
Based on 4 parent & educator reviews:
  • 100% say violence is an issue
  • 100% say sexual content is an issue
  • 100% say language is an issue
  • 50% say there's too much drinking, drugs, or smoking
  • 50% say they noticed product placement

Most useful reviews by all members

Entropy
teen, 15 years old
 
Awesome movie! But way too brutal...
One of the best Gangster movies of all time! However it is not for kids, The F-Word is used nonstop throughout, Constant beatings, torture, child abuse, murders, some of the main characters are coke addicts, onscreen oral sex, people beg for mercy shortly before being beaten to death with a baseball bat (onscreen). etc... etc...

michaelc
teen, 14 years old
 
14 year olds
I probably wouldn't let anyone under 13 watch this why would they want to though ? Along with being very violent and lots of profanity it is also a long, boring and rubbish film !!!

 
Caricature of the American Gangster: So rich but so unhappy
I'm a huge fan of Martin Scorsese and I've already seen many of his violent, profanity riddled movies, so the content in this movie didn't really come off as any surprise. I will say that although the language was incredibly pervasive, it was also realistic considering the main characters, the setting, and the tone of the movie. Gangsters spouting f-words come off as more realistic and less offensive than kids and teens saying them in most of today's raunchy teen comedies. This remains one of the best gangster films ever made, bolstering powerful performances from Joe Pesci and Sharon Stone. It's a sad movie about sad people. Gangsters might be some of the richest people in business, but they are also some of the most dysfunctional, and Scorses asks of us, is it all worth it? Most of us would say not. Gangsters will keep making money, but you can't buy happiness with all the money in the world. Scorsese knows that, and that's what he portrays brilliantly in his gangster films.

uytt2
adult
 
one of the best
good film god preformances some graphic shootout graphic torture lots of swearing, sex evrything a good mob movie needs

kh2master
teen, 16 years old
 
stupid annoying movie where people swear all the time
it may be violent but all people do is curse. it is mostly the f word. this is not for kids under the age of 17.

am1408
teen, 14 years old
 
i think kids and teens might think this is boring
alot better than i expected i dont really think this is a true story

 
LOVE IT
Well first off, a factual error on the part of CSM, they claim that Pulp Fiction has the highest number of "F-Bombs" in a movie, when in fact, "Casino" holds a Guiness World Record for the most swearing in a film ever! The word "F*ck" is said 422 times, which averages to about 2.4 times per minute (IMDB). Btw, the "F" word is said 422 times, not counting, "Sh*t, C**t, Ass**le, Jerk***, n****r, co**su*ker," you get the idea... Aside from that, I love this movie. I suppose it doesn't offer much as far as lessons go, other than it is an excellent story about what Las Vegas used to be, and the lifestyles the big shots could afford. You as the parent are the ultimate judge of what you deem appropriate and inappropriate. This movie is not senseless at all, it has a wonderful story and a Scorsese masterpiece.

lenzbenz20
teen, 16 years old
 
Really, CSM?
Sure, younger kids probably shouldn't see this. But I saw it when I was thirteen. I love it. What I'm most appalled about, COMMON SENSE MEDIA, Is that you said Scorsese directed Scarface. That is absolutely not true, Brian DePalma did.

reser2
adult
 
Casino movie review
This is a movie that is not for kids. It has scenes of brutal violence, torture, sex and a lot of foul language throughout. It is appropriate for people who are 18 or older.

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ON: Content is appropriate for kids this age.
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