Croupier 1998 – Gambler or a Dealer?
Everyday we face different obstacles that either make us or break us. White or black, good or bad, yin or yang. In the case of Jack Manfred, the main character in the movie Croupier 1998, his choice was to be a gambler or a dealer. He’s an intelligent writer who is short of cash and needs inspiration, so taking the job as a casino croupier turns out to be his best bet. More than 20 years after its release date, the creation of director Mike Hodges stays as relevant and captivating as ever. Read the full Croupier movie review to learn why.Croupier Movie Plot
When you’re an author with a severe case of writer’s block, you will do almost anything to get your creativity flow back. And so does Jack Manfred played by the charismatic Clive Owen. Struggling to find inspiration about a soccer novel, Jack is presented with the opportunity to get a job as a croupier at Golden Lion casino in London, which is one of the best casinos in the UK.
His father, played by Nicholas Ball, has pulled up a few connections to arrange an interview with the manager of the casino. Up until that interview, the audience has no idea that Jack is, in fact, a very experienced player who can even count cards at blackjack. After the casino’s manager, Mr. Reynolds tests his skills at various games and tasks, Jack gets the job.
After a very successful first shift at the casino, Jack feels much more confident. He caught a fellow croupier Matt, played by actor Paul Reynolds, cheating but didn’t turn him up. You don’t have to cheat though. The best online roulette bonus offers in the UK on our page are super helpful to the punter! Jack realised that Matt is an escape artist just like his father, and that gave him an entirely new perspective. Instead of a boring soccer novel, Manfred is now going to write about something which he’s mastered to perfection – gambling.
Although throughout the entire Croupier movie, the protagonists never gamble, he enjoys being in the centre of the action by controlling the outcome. The role of a croupier gives Jack the power to observe the punter’s reactions when they lose their money, and that excites him. He remains completely detached from any emotion but still loves every second. His duties as a croupier have gotten to him, and Jack experiences a personality alteration.
He names the protagonist of his book Jake, and as the film goes, it becomes evident that it is partly based on Jack himself. Manfred starts narrating each chapter of the movie as part of the novel. His girlfriend Marion, played by Gina McKee, becomes frustrated with Jack as she doesn’t like the man who he has become. She notices that Jack is now more distant and drinks regularly to cope with the stress from his nightshifts.
Cast, Ratings and More
The brilliant Croupier cast choice and the chemistry between them has paid off really well for the success of the production. The online movie database IMDB rates it with 7.1/10, which makes it one of the highest-rated films of this genre. The Croupier movie is, without a doubt, one of the best gambling movies ever made, although the production took place more than 20 years ago.
More critically acclaimed opinions come from the other reputable online review-aggregation website Rotten Tomatoes. The audience score is 79% based on nearly 10,000 views, while the so-called Tomatometer evaluates the movie at 96%. When we take a look at other vital metrics for successful movie production, such as the worldwide gross revenue, which is currently at $7,120,568, it becomes even more apparent how successful Croupier 1998 is.
| Name | Croupier |
| Releasement Date | 6th November 1998 |
| Genre | Crime, Drama |
| IMDB Rating | 7.1/10 ⭐ |
| Rotten Tomatoes Rating | 79% |
| Awards |
|
| Box Office | $7,120,568 |
| Director | Mike Hodges |
| Screenplay | Paul Mayersberg |
| Actors |
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| Running Time | 1h 34 min |
As we previously said, the leading role of Jack Manfred was given to Clive Owen, who was at the time a young and aspiring actor. His brilliant performance of the split personality croupier was a real breakout for Clive’s career in Hollywood. Casting him was ultimately a vital part of the overall success of the movie, which was nominated for three awards and won the NBR Award for “Top Then Films” in 2000.
Speaking of great acting, we should definitely mention a few other co-stars of the Croupier cast. Gina McKee did a fantastic job portraying Jack’s girlfriend, Marion. Alex Kingston, who played Jani, was also very convincing in her role. We didn’t give away too much about her in our review, which is even the more reason you should go ahead and watch for yourself.
Watch Croupier Movie Online
If you like what you’ve read so far, you shouldn’t waste any time and jump right into watching Croupier movie online. There’re plenty of streaming service websites that provide with the opportunity to watch this masterpiece from director Mike Hodges. For instance, at Amazon Prime, you can rent and buy the movie depending on your preference.
| Netflix | No |
| Amazon Prime | No |
| iTunes | Yes |
| FandangoNOW | Yes |
| Reelgood | Yes |
You can also enjoy the Croupier movie online at iTunes and Reelgood. Unfortunately for the fans of Netflix, this film is currently not available there. Nevertheless, you have at least a few other great options to enjoy a great movie with witty conversations and plenty of catchphrases.
FAQs
Charm, enigma, intelligence – Jack is the full package. Croupier 1998 gives a unique perspective inside the mind of a skilled and intelligent person. He’s never tempted to gamble with real money inside or outside a casino, however, every choice he makes is a huge bet against himself. As we’re at the end of our Croupier movie review, here’re a few other important takeaways for fellow movie fans.
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