Casino is an epic of greed, corruption, and betrayal. It is also a fascinating history lesson about Vegas, explaining how the mafia lost control of this desert town that now mints billions in annual profits for huge gambling corporations. The film focuses on three main characters: Sam “Ace” Rothstein (Robert De Niro), Nicky Santoro (Joe Pesci), and Ginger Lavigne (Sharon Stone). The plot also explains how the mob controlled the flow of money in this city that used to be known for its sin and vice.

Adapted from the non-fiction book by Nicholas Pileggi, who co-wrote the screenplay with Martin Scorsese, Casino is an enthralling and utterly devastating account of how men lose control over their lives when they get caught up in a web of corruption. It’s a story that starts out looking like Goodfellas, but then broadens its focus from the blue collar gangsters of NYC to the guys who controlled them. It then goes even wider, revealing corrupt politicians, the Teamsters union, and the Midwest mafia.

Robert De Niro and Joe Pesci are as solid as ever, but it’s Sharon Stone who steals the show with a powerhouse performance. After her overblown turn in Basic Instinct, she brings rare depth to this role as the femme fatale opportunist most men would be happy to tame. Her ability to seduce and dominate while keeping the cameras on her is remarkable. Her character arc is as layered and complex as any in the history of cinema.