Their relationship is also complicated by Ginger McKenna (Sharon Stone), a former prostitute and Sam's wife. She has her own issues which include drug and alcohol abuse and her relationship with Lester Diamond (James Woods), her former pimp, whom she continues to give money after she and Sam get married. Marriage wasn't Ginger's idea. Sam is the one who wanted it. She only seems happy for a short time. It all begins to go downhill after she asks him for considerably more money than he is used to giving her. He has her tailed and finds out she wanted the money to give to Lester. Sam has Lester beaten up and their marriage enters a downward spiral from which it never recovers.
Casino is directed by Martin Scorsese who also co-wrote the screenplay with Nicolas Pileggi. The two also collaborated on Goodfellas. Both movies were based on true stories and books written by Pileggi. Robert De Niro and Joe Pesci were also in both films.
There is quite a bit of narration throughout the film. Sam narrates sometimes, other times it is Nicky. There is a fair amount of pop music from the era (1970s - early 1980s) that the movie takes place. I enjoyed quite a few of the songs they chose to use, because I liked the songs and because they paired many of them very well with different parts of the story.
It is clear that a lot of effort was put into making this movie but I don't love it. I think I first saw this movie when it was originally released in the theater. I remember having a similar reaction back then. It is a well made movie with lots of great moments and performances but the story and the relationships left me wanting more or at the very least something different.
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