Robert De Niro is the leading man in the film (Image: Getty)
A gangster film hailed as “an absolute mob masterpiece” by cinema enthusiasts is currently available to stream on ITVX. Helmed by the iconic Hollywood director Martin Scorsese, the picture chronicles the story of mobster Sam “Ace” Rothstein (played by Robert De Niro), his unpredictable body guard Nicky Santoro (played by Joe Pesci), and their criminal enterprise. Yet Ace’s relationship with Ginger McKenna (played by Sharon Stone) and her battles with dependency, coupled with Nicky’s increasingly brutal behaviour, leads to complications.
The movie is regarded as a timeless piece of work, with numerous devotees celebrating it as “the ultimate mafia saga”, and many encouraging others to view it. On the film review platform Rotten Tomatoes, the five-star ratings have poured in.
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One assessment stated: “Casino is an absolute mob masterpiece. Scorsese delivers the ultimate mafia saga: ruthless power, flashy Vegas empires, brutal betrayals, and that intoxicating rise-and-crash life. De Niro and Pesci are legendary, the violence hits hard, the glamour seduces. Pure adrenaline for any mob movie fan. Flawless. 100% fresh.”
As reported by The Mirror, another commented: “Ultimate tragedy. Everyone is a bad guy but you want to cheer for them so bad.”
One viewer enthused: “My favourite film in the whole wide world I’ve seen it at least 30 times it’s worth watching for three hours. I would watch it for four hours. I think it beats The Godfather. I think it beats Goodfellas. I think it’s just amazing. Robert De Niro is the best and Joe Pesci kills it along with all the Italian officers. If you haven’t seen this you were missing one of the greatest movies ever made.”
Another fan wrote: “Casino stands as arguably Scorsese’s third-best film, a dazzling, intense companion to Goodfellas set against the glittering, corrupt backdrop of Las Vegas. While familiar in its exploration of organised crime, the film distinguishes itself through a meticulously constructed narrative that builds tension with relentless precision, culminating in an ending far more intense and devastating than its predecessors.
Sharon Stone and Robert De Niro star as lovers in Casino (Image: Getty Images)
“Every frame exudes Scorsese’s mastery – from the vivid production design to the electric performances of Robert De Niro, Joe Pesci, and Sharon Stone. The three-hour runtime feels entirely justified, as the film gradually constructs a world of excess, betrayal, and moral decay, rewarding patient viewers with a climactic payoff that is as thrilling as it is unforgettable. For lovers of intelligent, high-stakes crime cinema, Casino is an absolute triumph.”
One viewer commented: “Casino is a film showing a director at the top of his game in the middle of an especially hot streak. If not Scorsese’s strongest effort it is certainly worthy of appreciation.”
Another penned: “Great movie! I just watched this movie a few months ago for the first time. Robert De Niro and Joe Pesci do a great job. Fun movie from start to end.”
However, critics on IMDb (International Movie Database) have labelled the film as “boring” and “rubbish”. One critic remarked: “I thought this would be awesome but I really can’t get into it. Also, why does De Niro basically always seem to play himself? He’s basically the same in every single film he’s ever been in.”
Another critic described the film as “brutally profane”, warning that it will “assault your senses” with its use of expletives.
Casino is now streaming on ITVX.
