When we think of Hollywood movies, most of us envision glitzy A-listers dazzling viewers with their impeccable acting skills. However, what gets far too often swept under the rug by regular viewers are the settings portrayed on the silver screen. Below, we’ll be taking a look at the role of casino settings in elevating cinematic storytelling.
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The Popularity of Casinos
Before we address their importance, let’s analyze the reason why casino settings are used so often. This can chiefly be attributed to the popularity of casino games themselves, with millions of people around the world enjoying them from their inception. Even current celebrities are renowned for visiting brick-and-mortar locales to enjoy casino games, with names like Tobey Maguire and Matt Damon coming to mind.Â
The advent of online casinos has ensured the longevity of this sector, further fueling its prevalence. They have introduced the games to the generations that prefer to use devices like PCs and smartphones to enjoy their hobbies.Â
Now, modern players can find a casino online with platforms holding a vast library of games. For instance, there’s been a trend of mixing traditional games with modern casino concepts, with one example being slots UK games like Monopoly Slots. But typically, such platforms offer a range from classic table games such as Blackjack Classic to innovative slots like Duel at Dawn.Â
This longstanding popularity of casino games and the establishments associated with them has ensured their continued marketability in Hollywood movies. Usually, the addition of casino motifs has helped elevate high-stakes scenes, making them more narratively enticing to viewers. After all, casinos are well-renowned to be vibrant spots with plenty of suspense involved, making a great option for depicting similar emotions.
Iconic Casino-Focused Movies
There are many movies where casinos or casino games serve as an important part of the plot. One example of this is Casablanca, a romantic drama set in the city of the same name, although it was mainly filmed in Burbank. Here, we follow the story of an American nightclub and gambling den owner. To avoid spoiling the movie for those who haven’t seen it yet, we’ll just state that roulette plays a significant role in the movie’s plot.
Next, we have the first installment of The Hangover trilogy, where four friends travel to Las Vegas for a bachelor party. This comedy is filled with portrayals of one of the most popular casinos in the city along with hilarious quotes which were turned into memes. Plus, just like with the previous movie, a casino game works as a serious plot device, albeit here it’s that of blackjack.Â
To round this list off, we have the 2006 adaptation of Casino Royale, featuring the one and only James Bond, known by his code number as Agent 007. Here, you’ll get to enjoy epic scenes in a swanky casino along with Bond’s masterful card strategies. If you’re a fan of the books, you may know that he is a proficient baccarat le chemin player. However, due to the popularity of poker, the game of choice for this movie was made into Texas Hold’em.
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The setting of a movie can be equally as important as all of the other factors involved in filmmaking. It can have underlying motifs and add to the overall vibes of the scene, proving that it’s more than just a backdrop. As such, whether it is to portray excitement or unpredictability or anything else related to casinos, we can see why this setting has been so prevalent in Hollywood movies.
