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WTF is a croupier anyway?
Sep. 5th, 2007 10:12 pmCroupier = a casino dealer
I think it's safe to say that Croupier was Clive Owen's big break. Not quite into the atmospheric heights today, but that film definitely got him noticed. It's stylish, clever, and has the feel of a classic noir story. It might not be everyone's cuppa, this movie about a struggling writer who returns to work in the dodgy world of gaming casinos. Owen's performance as Jack Manfred (with bleached hair as the writer, dark hair as the croupier), is engaging and more importantly, open. For instance, when Jack's girlfriend gives him a shoulder massage after a night at the casino and runs her hand through his hair, almost carelessly mentioning she liked his hair better blond - Jack becomes tetchy and snaps that it's not like he's changed. But those few seconds make it rather obvious to the audience of his discomfort and the brittleness of the lie. Try re-enacting that scene. It ain't easy getting it right; rehearse it too much and it'll seem like something in a soap opera.
(Incidentally, I dyed my bleached hair black right before watching the film - being rather superstitious at times, I wondered if this was a sign... I'm gonna be a croupier!)
The best thing about Croupier is the valuable lessons for writers. That's right, it's a PSA as well. After the sounds of the roulette, we meet a literary agent, who blathers on about what sells in the market. Already we have our first lesson.
I think it's safe to say that Croupier was Clive Owen's big break. Not quite into the atmospheric heights today, but that film definitely got him noticed. It's stylish, clever, and has the feel of a classic noir story. It might not be everyone's cuppa, this movie about a struggling writer who returns to work in the dodgy world of gaming casinos. Owen's performance as Jack Manfred (with bleached hair as the writer, dark hair as the croupier), is engaging and more importantly, open. For instance, when Jack's girlfriend gives him a shoulder massage after a night at the casino and runs her hand through his hair, almost carelessly mentioning she liked his hair better blond - Jack becomes tetchy and snaps that it's not like he's changed. But those few seconds make it rather obvious to the audience of his discomfort and the brittleness of the lie. Try re-enacting that scene. It ain't easy getting it right; rehearse it too much and it'll seem like something in a soap opera.
(Incidentally, I dyed my bleached hair black right before watching the film - being rather superstitious at times, I wondered if this was a sign... I'm gonna be a croupier!)
The best thing about Croupier is the valuable lessons for writers. That's right, it's a PSA as well. After the sounds of the roulette, we meet a literary agent, who blathers on about what sells in the market. Already we have our first lesson.
