After taking a job at a local casino, a struggling writer (Clive Owen) becomes involved in a planned robbery that could give him the means to escape to a better life.
Another tale of a cold-blooded man moving through the world,Croupier makes for an interesting double bill with Mike Hodges’ Get Carter.
It is hard not to watch Croupier and think about the rumours of Owen becoming the next James Bond after Brosnan. When a suave, dark-haired Englishman is in a tuxedo at a casino, it is an easy association to make.
But there is little similarity between the characters.
I have never had any strong opinions of Owen. The first time I had heard of him was when he played the titular character in King Arthur. Not a terrible movie, but the character is not written to take advantage of his strengths.
I have seen him in other movies, but this feels like a genuine showcase. What I was struck by is how good he is as an impassive watcher.
The protagonist is an observer - while he works as a journalist, he enjoys taking on the role of a croupier because it allows him to do what he likes best: watching other people fail.
His girlfriend (Gina McKee) nails him when analysing the character in his novel: He treats his games’ rules as his conscience, and he only moves when he knows he can win.
Ironically, while he is the narrator, Owen shows no control over events.
And despite showing knowledge of gambling, and his own attraction to it, in all other respects he is an enigma. By the end of the movie, it seems there is nothing worth knowing about him.
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