Kattiera Nana I think this is a new genre that they're all sort of working their way through it and haven't got all the kinks worked out yet but it's a genre that works for me.

Pluskylang Great Film overall

Acensbart Excellent but underrated film

Yash Wade Close shines in drama with strong language, adult themes.

tweller-56090 This was the first film I saw with Clive Owen in it, and it was love at first sight. He does an excellent job in a role as a down-on-his-luck writer. I could easily imagine Humphrey Bogart cast in a previous era-immediately my mind went to In A Lonely Place.The atmosphere is spot on and that, more than the serviceable plot (cannot describe without spoilers), is what makes this film. Alex kingston is amazing as Jani, the gambler and classic femme fatale who reminded me of Angelica Huston's character in The Grifters-another excellent neo-noir film. Highly recommended for UK crime thriller, neo-noir, and Clive Owen fans.

LeonLouisRicci This is the Film that is Credited as the One that Put Clive Owens on the Map. Director Mike Hodges had Been on the Map Since 1971 with His Neo-Noir Classic "Get Carter". Hodges Never Quite Attained Anything Beyond Cult Movie Respect, but Owens, On the Other Hand, is Still On the Rise.It's a Smart, British-Neo-Noir This, With Voice-Over, Snappy Cynical Dialog, Icy-Cool Dames and Characters that Operate on the Fringes, Mostly Struggling with Life and Their Place In It. The Film has Atmosphere and Stunning Scenes in the Casino that Mirror and Reflect a Gaudy but Attractive World that is Forever in Reach, but Slippery.The Story is About a Writer/Gambler Who Writes but Doesn't Gamble and the People that Inhabit His Detachment. He Always Seems There but at a Distance, Observing, Making Notes, and Figuring Out the Odds and the Angles.It's a Slick Piece and a Low-Budget, Heady Art-Film with Noir Twists and a Suspense that is Sustaining. The Ending is Where Most Folks Cry Cheat as They Cash In Their Chips to Move On to Another Game of Cinema. But Odds Are as They Do, will Continue to Think About This Bit of British Sleight of Hand.

SnoopyStyle Jack Manfred (Clive Owen) is a struggling writer. His dad refers him for a job as a croupier in the Golden Lion Casino. He sleeps with fellow croupier Bella (Kate Hardie). His relationship with girlfriend Marion Nell (Gina McKee) deteriorates. Gambler Jani (Alex Kingston) pulls Jack into a relationship and convinces him to be the inside man to rob the casino.This tries to be a hard-boiled crime drama. Director Mike Hodges uses the Clive Owen narration to bring about that sense. His style is more like murky 70s drama without enough flash to make it exciting. Jack Manfred isn't that compelling. He's too cool, too detached and too calm. After everything that happens, he's bemused. I can't really feel for this character.

Brian Wright In the title of my review I mention the feel of The Hustler, the classic movie about another sort of addiction (and alcoholism) with Paul Newman, Jackie Gleason, George C. Scott, and Piper Laurie. Jack Manfred is an analog to the George C. Scott character, constantly facing the harsh reality of his world and evincing a certain strength of character thereby. Croupier is lighter, yet it deals with several of the same problems faced in a world populated by addicts; plus it packs the added interest of a mystery. The performances are terrific, especially Owen's. As in The Hustler, the audience lies in suspense, weighing with the characters what is the right thing to do and hoping they'll figure it all out. ...For my complete review of this movie and for other movie and book reviews, please visit my site TheCoffeeCoaster.com.Brian Wright Copyright 2008