This movie is a case in point. I saw it in Ottawa's comfy Bytowne cinema. A quick look at Croupier's IMDB entry puts that four to five years ago. Not that long ago, I hear you say. True. But it might as well have been an eternity for me. I remembered Jack's (Clive Owen) apartment, his typewriter, his view... and that's about it. Oh, and I remembered that I loved it. Seriously. Welcome to my world (cue the dramatic music).
That's why I picked it up tonight. My wife's reading Bringing Down the House, so I knew it'd be right up her alley. Score one for ole John boy!
I've also been a huge fan of Clive Owen ever since. I was going to go off on some obscure Internet search for the BMW films, but the IMDB has surprised me again: they're all catalogued, the 6-minute beauties that they are: Ambush, Chosen (directed by Ang Lee!), Follow, Star and Powder Keg.
Finally, I never forgot the word itself. Croupier:
an employee of a gambling casino who collects and pays bets and assists at the gaming tables.[Merriam-Webster] Such dignity!
Guess I should say something about the movie, eh? While I still remember it. *slap of knee* (Jolly good, old sport!) *ahem* Hey! While I was thinking about what to write, I realized that this is yet another example of a story about writing a story! Now we have a pattern! Adaptation: excellent. Alex and Emma: terrible. Croupier: excellent. Huh. Guess I should hold off on watchin' 'em for a while.
Damn it, John! Why'd you like the damn thing? Oh, yes; sorry. It didn't take itself seriously; that's for sure. Very endearing, that. Plus, it was on the tracks, motoring by. All aboard? No? Too bad. We're tellin' a story here. Very smart; and oh, so funny at times. Like when Jack is practicing his blackjack, right in front of his typewriter. :-)
Rent it. Buy it. Watch it. Trust me. Envious yet?
