You Don't Know Jack

Croupier (Mike Hodges, 1998)

I'll preface my thoughts on Mike Hodges' stellar slice of Brit noir, Croupier (technially a British and German co-production) with my personal opinion that the nineties were lean times for both horror and British film in general. The less said about British horror at that time, the better. Thus, when Croupier originally came and went, even after its 2001 re-release attributed to its American success, I put it down as another one of those "critic's film" to avoid at the time. How wrong was I?

Clive Owen plays Jack Manfred, a struggling writer working on his debut book, who, thanks to his estranged father, lands a job working as a croupier in a London casino. Born and raised in a South African casino, Jack has a godly croupier skills. What follows in the film, are a series of events where Jack's personality meshes with his novel's protagonist, Jake. Initially inspired by his corrupt colleague, Matt, played by Press Gang's Paul Reynolds. The film leaves some ambiguity over whether or not the character of Jake comes from a hidden persona within Jack, but it becomes abundantly clear Jack's mental state is far from normal as the film progresses. This is enforced throughout the film by Jack's quotable "hang on tightly, let go lightly", catchprase being repeated throughout the film.

The real charm of Croupier comes from Clive Owen's smug and judgmental voice over. His whole personality exudes that of an individual with a massive superiority complex. Jack is able to read people in the same vein as the cards he deals. Ironincally, despite the film being set in a London casino, the subject matter doesn't focus on gambling, but rather Jack's addiction to seeing people lose. It's fixation for schadenfreude where he describes the casino environment as "the house of addiction". It's not long until he's smoking like a circus chimp and boozing for Britain just to calm his nerves when he's back home. As Jack gradually slips into his Jake persona, he's able to snitch and cheat on his social circle with no remorse whatsoever since it's all in keeping with Jake's character. In this respect, he's psychopathic in nature, and that's what makes him such a compelling character to watch on screen.

There are three women in Jack's life who appear to symbolise important aspects about him: his girlfriend, Marion (Gina McKee), a store detective, acts as his moral compass, infatuated with Jack as  a writer and attempts to mould him into something he's not, like wanting his hair dyed blonde and having him wear a ridiculous boy band hat; his co-worker, Bella (Kate Hardie), mirrors his judgemental and callous evaluation of people; while Jani (Alex Kingston), a fellow South African and the film's damsel in distress, might possibly serve as a window about his past. What's revealling about his relationship with Jani, is it's not a sexual relationship. Even while sharing a bed with her, while at his agent's country home for a weekend, he's doesn't pursue anything.

Jack's world is also really engaging. Much of it is nocturnal; including a bizarre tennis match at night scene. Much of our film protagonist's life is a subterranean existence; living a in a basement flat with iron bars over its windows (which has notable significance at the end of the film), to the sub-level casino decorated with distorted mirrors everywhere (apparently based on the old HMV store on Oxford Street).

Events go positively Lynchian after a casino heist, as Jack's world goes completely off-kilter. Some scenes are surreal; like his chance meeting of a self-proclaimed "white witch" at a restaurant, who happens to own the very car he sold at the start of the film. Fate seems to be the integral theme of the film while simultaneously casting some doubt on whether or not its Jack or Jake who is actually on the receiving end. 

Not many films out there that have had me watching on repeat like this. Croupier impressed me enough that I kept discovering various elements with every viewing. Easily my favourite film discovery so far this year. Too bad it took so long in discovering this gem.

Also, based on his performance in Croupier alone, it should have been Clive Owen cast as Jame Bond instead of Daniel Cragface. What a wasted opportunity.

Croupier (Original Trailer)

Mike Hodges, 1998