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Kevin Spacey, Barry Pepper, Jon Lovitz, Kelly Preston, Rachelle Lefevre ... see more see more... , Daniel Kash , Graham Greene (II) , Maury Chaykin , Christian Campbell , Yannick Bisson , Spencer Garrett , Conrad Pla , Ruth Marshall , Sima Fisher , Xenia Siamas , Hannah Endicott-Douglas , Joe Pingue , David Fraser , Cindy Dolenc , Paolo Mancini , Graham Abbey , Judah Katz , Nancy Beatty , Matt Gordon , Jeffrey R. Smith , Jason Weinberg , Jeff Pustil , Kristin Hinton , Reid Morgan , Damir Andrei , Paul Brian Anderson , Andrea Davis , John David Whalen , Anna Hardwick , Cynthia Amsden , Balford Gordon , Adam Waxman , Paul Stephen , Stephen Chambers

Two-time Academy Award Winner Kevin Spacey gives the performance of a lifetime in CASINO JACK, a riotous new film starring Spacey as a man hell bent on acquiring all that the good life has to offer. H... read more read more...e plays in the same game as the highest of rollers and resorts to awe-inspiring levels of conning, scheming and fraudulent antics to get what he wants. Inspired by true events that are too over-the-top for even the wildest imaginations to conjure, CASINO JACK lays bare the wild excesses and escapades of Jack Abramoff. Aided by his business partner Michael Scanlon (Barry Pepper), Jack parlays his clout over some of the world's most powerful men with the goal of creating a personal empire of wealth and influence. When the two enlist a mob-connected buddy (Jon Lovitz) to help with one of their illegal schemes, they soon find themselves in over their heads, entrenched in a world of mafia assassins, murder and a scandal that spins so out of control that it makes worldwide headlines. Directed by George Hickenlooper (FACTORY GIRL, THE MAN FROM ELYSIAN FIELDS), CASINO JACK returns Spacey to the type of role that made him famous - a cool-headed, articulate snake charmer whose wild ambitions knows no limits or boundaries. The film also stars Kelly Preston and Rachelle Lefevre and is produced by Gary Howsam, Bill Marks and George Vitetzakis from an original screenplay by Norman Snider. Executive Producers are Richard Rionda Del Castro, Lewin Webb, Donald Zuckerman, Dana Brunetti, Patricia Eberle, Warren Nimchuk, Angelo Paletta and Domenic Serafino. The Associate Producer is Rick Chad. -- (C) Art Takes Over

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35% liked it

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36% liked it

91 critics

R, 1 hr. 48 min.

Directed by: George Hickenlooper

Release Date: December 17, 2010

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DVD Release Date: April 5, 2011

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Flixster Reviews (579)

  • MrMarakai
    May 23, 2012
    MrMarakai
    Throughout his career, director George Hickenlooper would switch from documentaries to feature films. He is probably better known for "Hearts Of Darkness: A Filmmakers Apocalypse" where he brilliantly documented the trouble that Francis Ford Coppola had in making "Apocalypse Now"... read more. His abilities in delving into true murky situations are also reflected in this account of a 2006 Washington D.C. political scandal.
    Jack Abramoff (Kevin Spacey) is a self proclaimed family man, Republican and devout Jew. He also happens to be a lobbyist who wields a lot of influence with politicians and businessmen. Along with partner Michael Scanlon (Barry Pepper), he decides to lobby a casino for a Native American tribe, stealing millions from them in the process. He also sets up an illegal chain of offshore casinos that involve gangsters and eventual murder. Abramoff is highly ambitious and lacks morals and that's exactly what leads to his conviction on charges of conspiracy and mail fraud and the downfall of many politicians who were happy to do business with him.
    If you've ever seen Kevin Spacey get interviewed then you'll know that he has an ability to do impressions. This is a role where he is given a bit of leeway to show a couple of them; Al Pacino, Ronald Regan and Bill Clinton among others. It's also a role that allows him to give a few of the cocksure Spacey rants that we have become accustomed to. It's one of the better roles that he's had over recent years and he makes the most of it. It's him that keeps this film anchored as it attempts to cover more ground than it can handle. It can't be easy covering true events and trying to be as honest about them as you possibly can, without losing sight of a few things. Hickenlooper has a good go and doesn't shy away from naming names involved in the scandal. He doesn't change anything; Abramoff and Michael Scanlon are put under the microscope and political big-hitters like President George W. Bush (of course) and Senator John McCain are also implicated. It's a brave move and Hickenlooper and screenwriter Norman Snider deserve credit for their bravery. Speaking of which, Snider's writing is fast-paced and snappy. He starts with a bang and never really let's up. He drops names into the mix and moves from person to person in quick succession, showing the extent and depth of the corruption that political figures, so often, finds themselves in. However, this is also part of the film's problem: there's too much going on and it attempts to move into comedy territory that doesn't suit the seriousness of the characters' downfalls. The inclusion of the highly irritating comedic actor Jon Lovitz was a bad move entirely. He seems as if he's walked on to the wrong set. As mentioned though, Spacey keeps the film interesting and despite an underwritten role, Barry Pepper lends some excellent support as his partner in crime. What I found most intriguing though, was the story itself. Maybe I've been leading a sheltered life but I don't recall this corruption being broadcasted or reported, despite it being compared to the scale of the Watergate scandal of 197. I'd never heard of Abramoff either, who has been a colourful and highly influential figure in recent American politics. Not to mention, a producer and writer of the Dolph Lundgren movie "Red Scorpion". Truth does indeed have a funny way of being stranger than fiction.
    Political backhanders and downfalls are exposed in a fast-paced and comedic style. It's doesn't succeed on all accounts but remains an intriguing story.
  • itsjustme2004
    December 15, 2011
    itsjustme2004
    I thought that this was fairly well done...and a really good portrayal of crooked politicians. However, I think that it lost merit by trying to be too funny, and entertaining. Usually, this is a good thing. In the case of this film, though, it just seemed to not always fit the ci... read morercumstances. I found the background music to be a little annoying, also. But..Kevin Spacey did a nice job. AND it did cement my opinion about politicians...that they are all crooked, one way or another.
  • blkbomb
    October 30, 2011
    blkbomb
    Jack Abramoff: Washington is like Hollywood, but with uglier faces. 

    "Honor. Integrity. Principles. Everything is Negotiable."

    This film was a slight surprise to me, not because I liked it, but because it was a really fun film. I can't say I expected that. Kevin Spacey and Barr... read morey Pepper make a movie about corruption and lies fun. Casino Jack is the story of Jack Abramoff, a Washington lobbyist who ripped off a tribe of Native Americans, with some under the table trading. 

    Kevin Spacey is great as always as Jack. He talks fast, he is confident and incredibly arrogant. He boasts about how he works out everyday and all he wants is to be a rich big shot. He owns restaurants and is trying to open his own school. This whole film rest on Spacey's shoulders. It only succeeds because he is just that good. Some of the supporting cast is good too, especially Pepper. But there's one actor who can single handedly bring down an entire movie in there too, Jon Lovitz. Why do people put him in movies? He isn't funny and he is extremely annoying. Luckily his presence did destroy this movie though.

    While Casino Jack isn't a spectacular film on Jack, it doesn't really need to be. All it needed to do was make Jack's story interesting and entertaining and it did that. If you want to watch a film that really goes into this subject, watch the Alex Gibney documentary, Casino Jack and the United States of Money.
  • TheDudeLebowski65
    June 29, 2011
    TheDudeLebowski65
    Casino Jack is the story of Washington lobbyist Jack Abramoff who conned millions of dollars out of an Indian tribe. Now I'm really familiar with Abramoff's story, and I haven't heard anything about the scandal til I saw this film. The film is labelled as a dark comedy, well I'l... read morel tell you right now that it's misleading. There are a few comic parts in the film, but it's more of a drama than anything else. Casino Jack is a well made film that has a really good cast, but after the credits role, you have a feeling that somethings missing. Jon Lovitz is one of the most "comedic" actors in this film. Casino Jack is an interesting film about the scandal and it touches the surface of Abramoff's illegal activities. Kevin Spacey does deliver a solid performance, and I think that this film is underrated a bit There are thing that obviously could have been done better, but for what it is, Casino Jack is an entertaining film that delivers an interesting. subject. I was actually surprised to see Barry Pepper, and in this film along with his role in True Grit has redeemed himself by starring in Battlefield Earth. For what it is, Casino Jack is a good film with a good cast, but it could have been reworked a bit. The film gives you a taste of a corrupt lobbyist and his illegal dealings, and for that it's worth watching.
  • Tomassgringo
    June 28, 2011
    Tomassgringo
    The documentary Casino Jack and the United States of Money was better than this. Sorry Kevin, you could not make this guy interesting.
  • fb100000145236770
    April 15, 2011
    fb100000145236770
    Kevin Spacey is one of my all time favorite actors, and he scores again in the title role of "Casino Jack." The movie is VERY liberal(Bob and Jay stay away! hey that rhymes :-p )and I'm sure a lot of liberties were taken with story, as some of it seems to be too far fetched. Bu... read moret the performances are great, even Jon Lovitz does a good job. At the beginning it reminded me of "Thank you for smoking" which is the best lobbyist movie ever, but overall it's a very different movie. If your a liberal, someone who likes political movies, or a Kevin Spacey fan, then you will enjoy it. If your a conservative and hate Spacey, then don't ever watch this film.
  • shawnewing92
    March 20, 2011
    shawnewing92
    A true story about government corruption. The film is not exciting but has enough interest to keep you watching. Spacey enjoys his role as Abramoff and acts out a couple great impersonations. A good flick if you're interested in politics or a fan of Kevin Spacey.
  • moonrivers
    January 16, 2011
    moonrivers
    washington style corruption lite. good performances but somehow it misses, feeling like a '70's movie that demands to be taken seriously while acknowledging that nobody does.
  • DrZeek
    December 1, 2010
    DrZeek
    Jack Abramoff: I'm Jack Abramoff and I work out every day.

    Casino Jack is a fact-based biopic that deals with lobbyists, finance, and the shameless fleecing of the American taxpayer. It is also quite funny, as leads Kevin Spacey and Barry Pepper essentially sleaze their way th... read morerough this story as real life lobbyists and businessmen Jack Abramoff and Michael Scanlon. The film hits a lot of the familiar beats of a biopic and may not be as intriguing as it could be to those more informed on the subject matter, but that does not stop this film from having an entertaining rhythm held throughout. This is all mainly thanks to the film's casting and director George Hickenlooper's (sadly deceased) ability to put together an entertaining feature, while still injecting tons of information throughout.

    In the film, Spacey's Jack Abramoff character is a well-connected, Washington D.C. lobbyist looking to acquire all he can to become a big success and have lots of money. Abramoff is an affectionate family man and has desires to provide for both his family and the community, as he states so often, but really, he is looking to make lots of money, and he also really enjoys having the attention. With his business partner, Michael Scanlon, played by Barry Pepper, the two manage to engage in various acts of fraud and conspiracy involving Indian casinos, among other crimes, which leads to more success.

    Abramoff also decides to use a buddy of his, sleazy salesman Adam Kidan, played by Jon Lovitz, to help head one of the illegal schemes he has setup involving cruise ship casinos. Unfortunately, among other problems, Kidan's mob connections eventually make for worse circumstances, as various scandals become more and more obvious to the rest of the world. In addition to problems involving Kidan, elements, such as the basic cockiness of Scanlon, soon become destructive forces for Abramaoff's ill gotten fortunes.

    The best things about this movie are the performances by Spacey and Pepper. Spacey is in top form here, despite playing another real life character he shares little physical resemblance to (Spacey also portrayed Bobby Darin in Beyond the Sea and Ron Klain in Recount). The work Spacey does as Abramoff is very good, managing to make a character, who we know is participating in various illegal deeds, incredibly watchable and at times very likable. He has a way of addressing people, mixed with the overall convictions he tries to convey that works quite well for selling this role. Pepper certainly has the showier role, with his Scanlon character acting out much more, flaunting his status and having a great ego about it. These two work well together and with the other members of the cast separately.

    The film's supporting performances are good enough as well. Lovitz manages to do an effective job in the sleazy role (not surprising), but also manages to make it effectively funny without coming off as too goofy (as far as a Jon Lovitz performance goes, anyway). Kelly Preston also stars as Abramoff's wife, Pam, always willing to stick by her husband, despite her concerns. And Maury Chaykin (also recently passed away) has a role as one of Kidan's mob associates.

    While I did find this film to be enjoyable, I think its biggest problem is that it does not present itself as one with a broad appeal. The narrative follows the path of a biopic very clearly, but the motivations and messages of the film are all very politics heavy, which is not necessarily a bad thing, but can certainly alienate viewers that cannot quite get around some of the more technically involved scenes concerning the exact dealings that Abramoff and co. are participating in. I also believe that the movie does function well as a comedic drama, but in between the many moments of levity, the true nature of the crimes committed does not quite come across as effective as they could have. The film does less to show me a dramatic punch than has me relying on my understanding of what is going on and why it is not right or why the schemes that occurred should be stopped.

    Despite some of these gripes, however, the movie still works fine as an entertaining depiction of a corruption scandal from the recent past. The performances are well thought out, essentially giving us the likable scoundrel film we desire. This is a nice change in pace from seeing the more serious set of biopics that tend to come out around this time of the year. The film works well as an interesting and consistently humorous portrait of an ambitious, but morally confounding man; and the best part is, as Spacey's wonderful character explains near the end of the film, he does not even understand why it is that he is in the wrong.

    Jack Abramoff: Next to God, faith, and country, nothing is more important than influence.
  • SC007
    February 12, 2012
    SC007
    This film should have gotten more attention when it came out. I am surprised that it didn't get any Oscar attention. Kevin Spacey shines in the film. I am surprised that he didn't get a Best Actor nomination for the role. Barry Pepper is also good in the film.

    I could have also... read more seen Stephen Soderbergh direct this film. He could have given it a style similar to his film, The Informant. I thought Jon Lovitz was miscast in the film. I could have seen Jason Alexander or Tony Shaloub play that role much better.

    I definitely recommend this film, especially for Spacey and Pepper's performances in it.

View All Casino Jack Reviews

Critic Reviews

Kate Taylor
January 28, 2011
Kate Taylor, Globe and Mail

The film has a complicated political story to tell, and its erratically suspenseful narrative often detracts from its central interest - what makes Abramoff tick. Full Review

Linda Barnard
January 27, 2011
Linda Barnard, Toronto Star

Casino Jack is really two movies: a convoluted tale about the exploits of disgraced Washington super-lobbyist Jack Abramoff, coupled with a zealous-if-misguided performance from Kevin Spacey in the ti... Full Review

Roger Moore
January 26, 2011
Roger Moore, Orlando Sentinel

[Hickenlooper] heavy-handedly tried to make sense of it all and then conjured up a movie with "a Hollywood ending." The trouble is, the Hollywood hustler Abramoff never actually provided one. Full Review

Colin Covert
January 13, 2011
Colin Covert, Minneapolis Star Tribune

The film tries to encompass all of Abramoff's encyclopedic chicanery and chokes on the sheer volume. Full Review

Lisa Kennedy
January 7, 2011
Lisa Kennedy, Denver Post

Spacey has fun doing Abramoff doing Al Pacino, President Ronald Reagan and Sylvester Stallone. But the typically strong Spacey isn't the only actor doing commanding work here. Full Review

Tom Long
January 7, 2011
Tom Long, Detroit News

It's hard to work up a whole lot of love or sympathy for convicted lobbyist Jack Abramoff. Full Review

Ty Burr
January 6, 2011
Ty Burr, Boston Globe

"Casino Jack" is glib, fast-paced entertainment that barely leaves a mark - which, given the subject, is just plain wrong. Full Review

Steven Rea
January 6, 2011
Steven Rea, Philadelphia Inquirer

Casino Jack is all over the place: exaggerated comedy, cartoonish high jinks, then heavy-handed melodrama... Full Review

J. R. Jones
January 3, 2011
J. R. Jones, Chicago Reader

Kevin Spacey contributes a wonderfully flamboyant performance as Abramoff. Full Review

Roger Ebert
December 30, 2010
Roger Ebert, Chicago Sun-Times

It is Spacey's performance that contains most of the movie's mystery; although Abramoff's actions left little room for justification, in Spacey's performance, there is some. Full Review

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    • Jack Abramoff: Washington is like Hollywood, but with uglier faces.
    • Adam Kidan: I just want you to make sure Gus Boulis will never tax me and gimme the fucking ballpoint.
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