Croupier (film)

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Croupier
Croupier DVD cover
Directed by	Mike Hodges
Produced by	Jonathan Cavendish Christine Ruppert
Written by	Paul Mayersberg
Starring	Clive Owen Alex Kingston Gina McKee Kate Hardie Nick Reding Paul Reynolds
Music by	Simon Fisher-Turner
Cinematography	Michael Garfath
Editing by	Les Healey
Release date(s)	18 June 1999
Running time	94 min.
Language	English
IMDb profile

Croupier is a 1998 film starring Clive Owen as a croupier. The film was directed by Mike Hodges. The film was released by Image Entertainment on DVD in the USA, and Alliance Atlantis in Canada. Though intended as a feature film, it was shown on television in North America. It was also initially released in cinemas and drew a steady audience at the box office. It had a strong critical following in North America, and helped to launch Clive Owen's acting career there.

Croupier was disqualified from the Academy Awards after it was shown on television.

The film has been classified as neo-noir. It uses interior monologues in the style of many early noir detective films.

[edit] Plot

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. He finds himself drawn into the casino world and the job gradually takes over his life; his relationship with girlfriend Marion begins to deteriorate. One gambler in particular catches his attention: Jani, whom he starts to see outside of working hours - a serious violation of casino rules. Jani is down on her luck; under pressure from her creditors when she approaches Jack, asking him to be the inside man for a planned heist at the casino. Jack carefully considers the odds; it all looks so simple, but even a professional like Jack can't predict the cards he will be dealt.