Casino Jack is directed by George Hickenlooper and stars an impressive cast including the gifted Kevin Spacey, Barry Pepper, Jon Lovitz, Kelly Preston, and Rachelle Lefevre. Originally released into theaters on December 17, 2010, the much-anticipated DVD will be released on April 5, 2011. Running at 108 minutes, this film is distributed by ATO Pictures and is classified as a comedy. It is rated R due to some offensive language, violence, and briefcases of nudity.
This film has gained popular interest because it is based on real-life events, seemingly too ridiculous to be true. Based on the wild and crazy life of Jack Abramoff, Casino Jack follows a businessman, played by Spacey, who gets involved in a deep and dark world of deception and wealth. The film follows Jack and his business associate Michael Scanlon, played by Pepper. These partners work together to create an intimidating entity of wealth and power, which they then hold over the heads of prominent men of power in order to gain influence.
Jack and Michael get involved in a number of illegal plans and schemes, requiring the help of a more experienced criminal mind. That's when they recruit the help of one of their friends who is known to have important connections to the mob. This friend, played by Lovitz, agrees to help with the criminal events, leading the men to venture deeper and deeper into a dangerous world of violence and scandal. As the film continues, the audience is invited into a world of shocking mafia assassinations, lies and deceit, and scandal that continues to spiral further and further out of the control of those who started it all. Those familiar with the story will know how the film ends, but Casino Jack offers a number of insights into the story that spread across world newspapers like wildfire.
What makes this film so exciting is its obvious hesitation to protect any of the people involved in the plot. Names have not been changed throughout the story, including references to ex-president George W Bush and Senator John McCain, nor have locations and many important details. This film is incredibly forthright, presenting a stunning view of a scandal that grabbed the attention of a nation. Using a fictional stage to jab at very real situations, Casino Jack is a bold representation of serious events that allow audiences to view a dark side of American politics and the struggle for power and wealth. Director Hickenlooper even includes actual footage from the hearing against Abramoff, and shots of John McCain taken during the actual controversy.