- Actors: Clive Owen, Nick Reding, Nicholas Ball, Alexander Morton, Barnaby Kay
- Directors: Mike Hodges
- Writers: Paul Mayersberg
- Producers: Christine Ruppert, Jake Lloyd, James Mitchell, Jonathan Cavendish, Martin Wiebel
- Format: PAL
- Language English
- Subtitles: English
- Region: Region 2 (This DVD may not be viewable outside Europe. Read more about DVD formats.)
- Number of discs: 1
- Classification: 15
- Studio: Vci
- DVD Release Date: 14 April 2003
- Run Time: 94 minutes
- Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars See all reviews (9 customer reviews)
- ASIN: B00005AFNT
- Amazon Bestsellers Rank: 57,691 in Film & TV (See Top 100 in Film & TV)
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Reviews
Amazon.co.uk
The Croupier sees Clive Owen suffering from a bad case of writer's block as author Jack Manfred. Sitting in his London flat staring at an empty computer screen, trying to find the words to narrate his meandering life, he reluctantly accepts a job from his absentee father (Nicholas Ball) in a second rate casino as a dealer, or croupier, a job he once held in South Africa. His immersion back into this world is intoxicating, thanks primarily to the power he holds over his nightly clientele. Jack is a straight arrow on the floor (unlike his co-workers) but the whisper of an inside-job robbery makes his life suddenly more intriguing, as do the women who begin to drift into his life: a fellow croupier (Kate Hardie) and an alluring gambler (Alex Kingston). Suddenly, Jack finds his own life is his best book material.
There's something visceral about watching the world of gambling, and director Mike Hodges (the original Get Carter) taps into this allure; Jack's simple croupier tryout--handling cards and chips with skill and grace--is as captivating as most action scenes in big popcorn films. In the end, this little film, which went on to become an art-house hit, is as unpredictable as a roll of the dice. --Doug Thomas, Amazon.com
Amazon.co.uk Review
A classic slow burner of a film, Croupier has risen from a lowly status on release to recognition as one of the best British movies of the 1990s. Certainly, there are few better examples of how to combine a genuinely original premise with an eye for the mainstream market. The film's success stems from three key factors: strong story, star and director. Clive Owen is incredible as Jack Manfred, an aspiring but unsuccessful writer who, having taken a job in a casino, becomes embroiled in a seedy underworld. Director Mike Hodges brings all his experience to bear on the project and there can probably few more qualified to explore London's darker side than the man behind the original Get Carter. The supporting cast too is excellent and although Alex Kingston (in her pre-ER days) will grab most attention, it is the perennially superb Gina McKee who shines as Manfred's exasperated girlfriend Marion.
On the DVD: Croupier includes an audio commentary by Mike Hodges, which is a must for all students of cinema and practically amounts to a masterclass in filmmaking. His belief in the movie is obvious, as is his admiration for his cast, particularly Owen. He also provides a step-by-step breakdown on the cinematic process and gives a fascinating insight into the thinking behind his direction. The film looks fantastic on the enhanced format; a breathtaking mix of sumptuous colour and menacing darkness. --Phil Udell
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
12 of 12 people found the following review helpful
Format:DVD
Jack Manfred (Clive Owen) is a writer in search of inspiration who needs a "real" job to make ends meet at least until he manages to finish and sell his first book. Taking advantage of his previous experience as a croupier, Jack somehow ends up in a casino, where he will find not only a way to earn the money he needs, but also the inspiration he was seeking so desperately. Jack decides that "he would write about the world he knew, from the inside".
As a consequence, he starts to write a book based on his experiences in the casino, and at the same time shares with us the world of numbers, and odds. For some spectators, watching this film will be similar to visiting a new world that they weren't aware of before...
The director (Mike Hodges) mixed the events with Jack's detached reflections on them, and the result is quite good. I found some of Jack's insights particularly interesting, for example those about people who are addicted to gambling, and their behaviour.
In general, this is a great movie, somewhat acid but very good all the same. I strongly recommend it to you, and I give it 4.5 stars out of 5. I guarantee that after watching it you won't regard gambling in the same way. And remember, "You have to make the choice in life. Be a gambler or a croupier. And then live with your decision come what may".
Belen Alcat
5 of 5 people found the following review helpful
Format:DVD
A story stands by how good it is, and how well it is told. Here's a fine example. It's remarkable for being unremarkable. It doesn't rely on anything flash; there's no dramatically implausible car chases, explosions or plot twists. It's a story, well told, with believable characters. Don't get your hopes up if you're longing for on-the-edge-of-your-seat action - it unfolds as it should, slowly, allowing you to come to know the people who populate the tale. There are question marks over who's truth we are seeing and hearing, but that's as much of the art of a good story as anything. If you want it spelling out for you, then go watch the latest 'blockbuster', where the story is updated in contrived dialogue exchanges. In short, I liked this film; not the finest of wines, but worth savouring. And, good God, it's British - we can make good films!
7 of 8 people found the following review helpful
Format:DVD
Superb film. I believe this film explores the boundaries between fact and fiction, life becoming art and art becoming life. It is about writing or creating anything out of nothing. Jack Manfred is the detatched voyeur, looking down on his subject, the casino. also, he is writing about the gamble of everyday life. But he himself doesn't gamble. He wants to get into people's heads as they read his novel on the tube. an underground man! ha ha. The only problem is, he's becoming his main character as he is writing it. He is becoming Jake. Jake is the protagonist, the zombie and little shi* as Marion, his girlfriend calls him when she reads it. He has also gotten himself entangled in a robbery at the casino where he works. Is it Jack or is it Jake? or both?
If you like cynical and comic narration and if you liked American Psycho, then you should love this. Clive Owen and Christian Bale in these films have pulled out performances which may not be matched for the rest of their careers. But for art and becoming art, its worth it, isn't it?
What a shame this film was ignored in Britain, it actually did not get a full release at theatres, but i was lucky enough to be living in london near an arthouse cinema. If you love playful, intelligent and complex films and If you've secretly wanted to be a writer, this film is definitely for you. This is cinema at its very best, the best british film in many, many years. Yes there are flaws here and there, but this is the most addictive film i think i've ever watched. REPETITIVE VIEWING IS ESSENTIAL!!! Thankyou Mike Hodges.
Its all numbers, the croupier thought...
enjoy
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
Dark, involving drama
An overlooked gem. Clive Owen is completely mesmerising, and utterly convincing, as writer and croupier Jack. Read more
Published on 29 Mar 2007 by Jaybird
A great film starring one of Britain's underrated actors
Recently screened on Channel 4 for the first time and, until not long ago, only available on import, Croupier is in the style of many classic London-based dramas. Read more
Published on 30 July 2004 by Mark Thomas
Dealing out the goods
I had never heard of this film untill a few days ago - which reflects it's box office failure. However i thought this film was excellent. Read more
Published on 30 July 2003
Great acting but frustrating film
With such a brilliant cast how could this movie go wrong? It's first failing is the use of voiceovers. Read more
Published on 7 July 2003 by c westwood
great film great story great acting
Jack Manfred is an aspiring writer going nowhere fast. To make ends meet, and against his better judgement, he takes a job as a croupier. Read more
Published on 27 Nov 2001 by GLEN CAMPBELL
A mature, but overrated british drama.
Croupier was a flop at the cinema when released in 1998 but it has enjoyed fine success in the U.S. and is now re-released over here. Read more
Published on 26 Nov 2001 by philipconcannon@yahoo.co.uk
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