Nothing lights up the silver screen quite like the glamour and excitement of a casino floor. We’ve seen many a palpably tense moment played out in all its glory against the backdrop of a stunning casino backdrop, such as the sophisticated ambience of an exclusive poker game or the mayhem of bustling room full of buzzing slot machines. But one game above all others perfectly elicits an atmosphere of drama worthy of Hollywood, and that game is roulette.
You’ve probably played roulette before, so you know how crazy the vibe can get when a large group of gamblers are gathered around a roulette wheel, especially if someone is winning. If you haven’t had a chance to experience a game of roulette in the flesh, you can still pick up the vibe by playing online. You’ll find plenty of live casino roulette games at a real money online casino Canada – and you can easily find a real money online casino Canada from a reputable list of recommendations. You’ll enjoy the movies we’re about to mention a whole lot more if you’ve had some experience playing roulette.
Let’s get down to business. There are three stand-out silver screen moments that feature the iconic roulette wheel. Each movie is completely different from the other, so you’re sure to find one that tickles your fancy. We think you should watch all three.
Run Lola Run
Run Lola Run is one of the best films ever produced for German cinema. The premise of the film centres on the idea that life has many probable outcomes, but the outcomes are all based on the choices that you make along the way. In the film, we follow the protagonist, Lola, as she desperately tries to find one hundred thousand Deutsche Mark within a 20-minute time frame, which she needs to do to save her boyfriend’s life. The film sets out three possible scenarios for Lola, and in one of the scenarios, Lola tries to win the money on a single game of roulette. The film is high-energy, and the scene at the roulette table is everything you would want it to be – but we won’t give away the ending.
Casablanca
Casablanca is set during World War II, and the story is played out during one evening at bar called Rick’s Café. The main plot revolves around Rick, his ex-lover, Ilsa, and her new husband. Throughout the evening, a number of subplots play out, and we get to meet plenty of colourful characters. One of those characters is a man who desperately need to purchase a visa for himself and his wife so that they can escape war and persecution in Europe. The man, Jan, tries to raise the money he needs to pay for the visa by playing roulette. From a cinematic point of view, the scene at the roulette table is, perhaps, one of the most beautiful on the silver screen. And from a human point of view, the scene offers a beautiful expression of humanity and empathy through the actions of Rick. This film is must-see.
Diamonds are Forever
We couldn’t possibly write an article about casino moments on film without mentioning James Bond. Bond is, of course, better known for his antics at high-stakes card games, like poker and baccarat. However, in Diamonds are Forever, we meet Sean Connery’s Bond (some might say, the best Bond) at a roulette table. The scene unfolds at the Whyte House mansion, and it is here that we see Bond’s roulette strategy reveal itself – prompting many a roulette player to follow in Bond’s footsteps. Bond places a flat bet on the same numbers every time as a way of beating the odds. It’s a fantastic scene, and it sets up the rest of the film in true Bond fashion, but we wouldn’t recommend Bond’s strategy unless you have extremely deep pockets.
