January 29, 1996 -- One of the films being mentioned for possible Oscar nominations is ``Casino,'' Martin Scorcese's epic story of Mafia activity in Las Vegas.

While it may never be shown in Laramie, it will be coming out on video soon (as ``Kids'' is now). I saw it in Cheyenne at the discount movie theater downtown.

Sharon Stone received a Golden Globe award for her performance in the film as Ginger McKenna, a hooker and hustler who marries a mob-connected casino boss in the 1980s. James Woods plays Lester Diamond, a small-time hustler, pimp and loser. Oscar-winner Robert DeNiro plays Sam Rothstein, the casino boss. Joe Pesci plays Nicky Santoro, a crook and pscycopathic killer.

The plot, based on a true story, details the rise and fall of Rothstein in Vegas, and how the mob lost its hold in that town. The film is rich in detail about the gambling business. It shows how the suckers troop into town and why they always leave their money behind.

Rothstein is a guy who makes a science out of gambling. He is, in fact, smart enough to go legitimate. He manages to become a respectable businessman in Vegas, but is slowly pulled under by his pride, his destructive relationships with both McKenna and with Santoro. Rothstein enters a marriage with McKenna, knowing that she doesn't love him, but not knowing she's still in love with Diamond, a leech of a man who won't let her go.

The film is full of missed opportunities, of people using people ruthlessly, and of terrible violence. The film was so violent at times I looked away from the screen. In one scene Santoro puts a man's head in a vice to make him talk, and his eye pops out. In many ways, it is a brutal film.

Sharon Stone deserved her award for a great performance as the self-destructive McKenna. DeNiro and Pesci are both very effective in their roles. Scorsese does a good job keeping the film going, but it is overlong, at nearly 3 hours (175 minutes). It is a well-crafted, powerful film, but very depressing and certainly not for the squeamish.

I rate it a C+.

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