Las Vegas Casinos in the Movies

A Las Vegas casino: what comes to mind? The sights, the sounds, the sexiness of it all...and of course, the money. Whether or not you're a high roller or you've only heard about Vegas secondhand, we all know the reputation from the phrase: "What happens in Vegas stays in Vegas". It implies an almost fantasy-like land of adventure, danger, fun, and sin where things happen behind closed doors that you might not wanting anyone else knowing about.

Hollywood has done a great job capturing our ideas of the classic Las Vegas casino in both movies and television. Here are a few artistic approaches to showing what goes on in the City of Sin.

"Swingers": VEGAS, BABY, VEGAS! This film, written by Jon Favreau, launched the careers of both him and co-star Vince Vaughn into the stratosphere. When they weren't being "money," Mike and Trent hit the casinos, met some "beautiful babies", and discussed the art of seduction in the Los Angeles swing clubs.

 

"Ocean's Eleven": This blockbuster featured George Clooney, Julia Roberts, Brad Pitt, and too many other stars to list, contributing to Vegas's reputation as a city of good-looking high rollers. Danny Ocean is released from prison and leads his team to complete the ultimate heist in three Las Vegas casinos : the Bellagio, the Mirage, and the MGM Grand. Fun movie.

 

"Indecent Proposal": A happy couple played by Woody Harrelson and Demi Moore travel to Vegas in hopes of a big win. Their plans go awry when an older millionaire offers them one million dollars for a night with Demi. Her decision and the aftermath caused viewers worldwide to ask, "how far would you go for a million dollars?"

 

"Rain Man": No one has ever been more suited for a Las Vegas casino than Raymond Babbitt. Dustin Hoffman plays the title character, an autistic man reunited with his brother Charlie (Tom Cruise). Charlie takes Raymond to Caesar's Palace where Ray can count cards and win big. Don't expect to be able to pull this off yourself.

 

"Casino": Directed by Martin Scorsese, this movie stars Robert De Niro as a mobster and manager of the fictional Las Vegas casino, Tangiers. This movie, co-starring Joe Pesci and Sharon Stone, shows the seedier side of Vegas, with violence, mob rivalries, drug use, and high stakes.

"Leaving Las Vegas": A tale of two lonely souls who hit bottom in Vegas. Nicolas Cage, an alcoholic, meets Elizabeth Shue, a prostitute, while driving down the Las Vegas Strip. They develop a complicated and unhealthy relationship, building up to a climactic and depressing finale.

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