Atlantic City

Rating:
Summary: Smart, Witty, Brilliant Film
Review: "Yes, the Atlantic Ocean was really something in those days..." -Lou Pascal

The above quote epitomizes the humour in Louis Malle's "Atlantic City"...wry, subtle, and extremely dry. The comic subtext in Malle's film may slip by viewers during their first screening, because the picture operates on such a low-key level. The script's pleasures are small-scale, yet incredibly rewarding.

"Atlantic City" is a character study about Lou Pascal (Burt Lancaster), a warm, charming, elderly man who finds himself caught in the vast chasm between the sad reality of his life as a nickel-and-dime numbers man, and his projected self-mythology as a tough-as-nails gangster. John Guare's sharp, witty script enables the audience to immediately fall in love with Pascal. As the story progresses, fate throws a set of circumstances in Lou's path that allow him to briefly live out his self-projection... we watch him make a fortune from a small drug smuggle, don a slick white suit, obtain a "moll" (Susan Sarandon), and surprise himself by gunning down two violent thugs. Much of Malle's humour is anachronistic -- Lancaster trying to act like Al Capone in Twentieth-century Atlantic City -- and ironic --- the fact that this behavior runs contrary to the charming naivete of Pascal's character.

Impressively, this film falls into a subgenre with several others (including Woody Allen's "Manhattan") that successfully juxtapose small, finely-crafted character studies against commentaries about larger environments. As Lou struggles to preserve a dying image, Malle cuts to shots of ancient hotels and high-rises being demolished. This suggests that the legendary "Old Atlantic City" Lou constantly recalls, of "rackets, guns, whoring" and gangsters, is itself crumbling, only to be replaced with casinos and ugliness. Thus, the film operates on two levels.

"Atlantic City" is a brilliant, funny, heartfelt film with much to offer, that demands a close viewing to be appreciated fully.

Rating:
Summary: Smart, Witty, Brilliant Film
Review: "Yes, the Atlantic Ocean was really something in those days..." -Lou Pascal

The above quote epitomizes the humour in Louis Malle's "Atlantic City"...wry, subtle, and extremely dry. The comic subtext in Malle's film may slip by viewers during their first screening, because the picture operates on such a low-key level. The script's pleasures are small-scale, yet incredibly rewarding.

"Atlantic City" is a character study about Lou Pascal (Burt Lancaster), a warm, charming, elderly man who finds himself caught in the vast chasm between the sad reality of his life as a nickel-and-dime numbers man, and his projected self-mythology as a tough-as-nails gangster. John Guare's sharp, witty script enables the audience to immediately fall in love with Pascal. As the story progresses, fate throws a set of circumstances in Lou's path that allow him to briefly live out his self-projection... we watch him make a fortune from a small drug smuggle, don a slick white suit, obtain a "moll" (Susan Sarandon), and surprise himself by gunning down two violent thugs. Much of Malle's humour is anachronistic -- Lancaster trying to act like Al Capone in Twentieth-century Atlantic City -- and ironic --- the fact that this behavior runs contrary to the charming naivete of Pascal's character.

Impressively, this film falls into a subgenre with several others (including Woody Allen's "Manhattan") that successfully juxtapose small, finely-crafted character studies against commentaries about larger environments. As Lou struggles to preserve a dying image, Malle cuts to shots of ancient hotels and high-rises being demolished. This suggests that the legendary "Old Atlantic City" Lou constantly recalls, of "rackets, guns, whoring" and gangsters, is itself crumbling, only to be replaced with casinos and ugliness. Thus, the film operates on two levels.

"Atlantic City" is a brilliant, funny, heartfelt film with much to offer, that demands a close viewing to be appreciated fully.

Rating:
Summary: City of dreams.
Review: 'Atlantic City' is probably the best little film no one has seen. That's too bad, because it deserves to be remembered more than it has been during the past 20 years.

Susan Sarandon is outstanding in her portrayal of a young woman wanting to start her life over as a dealer in an Atlantic City casino. She starts out at the bottom, serving at an oyster bar, but she has hopes and dreams. (Who doesn't have in Atlantic City?)

Things could be worse and suddenly are when her ex-husband shows up with her sister, whom he's gotten pregnant. (Something you don't expect to see everyday...) What do they want? A place to stay for awhile would be nice... But the husband is really in Atlantic City to make a big drug deal. He has no connections to the Atlantic City drug bosses, so Sarandon's next door neighbor Lou (in a wonderful performance by Burt Lancaster) befriends him. The ex-husband's lack of contacts in Atlantic City and lack of knowledge of the city itself land him and everyone around him in big, big trouble.

The main theme running throughout 'Atlantic City' is change. The city was once very different, as were the characters in Malle's film. The entire story is about the inevitability of change and how it affects each of its characters. The choices these characters make and think about making lift the film to the level of a modern cinema classic. 'Atlantic City' deserves to be seen because of its great performances, expert direction, and very good writing. Watching 'Atlantic City' is like watching a good novel unfold right before your eyes. Not a flashy film, but rich in characterization, tone, and style. Not to be missed.

Rating:
Summary: The Best Little Film You've Never Seen
Review: 'Atlantic City' is probably the best little film no one has seen. That's too bad, because it deserves to be remembered more than it has been during the past 20 years.

Susan Sarandon is outstanding in her portrayal of a young woman wanting to start her life over as a dealer in an Atlantic City casino. She starts out at the bottom, serving at an oyster bar, but she has hopes and dreams. (Who doesn't have in Atlantic City?)

Things could be worse and suddenly are when her ex-husband shows up with her sister, whom he's gotten pregnant. (Something you don't expect to see everyday...) What do they want? A place to stay for awhile would be nice... But the husband is really in Atlantic City to make a big drug deal. He has no connections to the Atlantic City drug bosses, so Sarandon's next door neighbor Lou (in a wonderful performance by Burt Lancaster) befriends him. The ex-husband's lack of contacts in Atlantic City and lack of knowledge of the city itself land him and everyone around him in big, big trouble.

The main theme running throughout 'Atlantic City' is change. The city was once very different, as were the characters in Malle's film. The entire story is about the inevitability of change and how it affects each of its characters. The choices these characters make and think about making lift the film to the level of a modern cinema classic. 'Atlantic City' deserves to be seen because of its great performances, expert direction, and very good writing. Watching 'Atlantic City' is like watching a good novel unfold right before your eyes. Not a flashy film, but rich in characterization, tone, and style. Not to be missed.

Rating:
Summary: Dark Side Of The City
Review: 1981's Atlantic City uses the New Jersey resort to effective use to show how the old is being moved out by the new. At the time Atlantic City was a fading beach resort that introduced legalized gambling in 1978 to save it from ruin. Burt Lancaster stars as Lou Pasco, an old time numbers runner who business is slowly fading away in part to the casinos, which he refers to as too wholesome. He is also the boyfriend/bodyguard for a former beauty queen from the 1940's who is now an invalid. Susan Sarandon co-stars as Sallie Matthews, an employee at a clam bar located in a casino, who dreams of going to Monte Carlo. Lou sees a naked Sallie rubbing lemons on herself (to get off the fish smell) through his apartment window into hers. Their paths cross and they come upon a package of cocaine that Sallie's estranged husband leaves behind. Looking for a last big score, Lou sells the coke, but instead of going with Sallie, stays with the beauty queen. Director Louis Malle perfectly captures the dark side of Atlantic City and Mr. Lancaster gives one of the best performances of his career and his last great one as lead actor while it is the first time Ms. Sarandon showed the skills that would make her one of the top actresses in the business. The film scored Academy Award nomination for Best Picture, Director, Actor & Actress but went home empty handed.

Rating:
Summary: Dark Side Of The City
Review: 1981's Atlantic City uses the New Jersey resort to effective use to show how the old is being moved out by the new. At the time Atlantic City was a fading beach resort that introduced legalized gambling in 1978 to save it from ruin. Burt Lancaster stars as Lou Pasco, an old time numbers runner who business is slowly fading away in part to the casinos, which he refers to as too wholesome. He is also the boyfriend/bodyguard for a former beauty queen from the 1940's who is now an invalid. Susan Sarandon co-stars as Sallie Matthews, an employee at a clam bar located in a casino, who dreams of going to Monte Carlo. Lou sees a naked Sallie rubbing lemons on herself (to get off the fish smell) through his apartment window into hers. Their paths cross and they come upon a package of cocaine that Sallie's estranged husband leaves behind. Looking for a last big score, Lou sells the coke, but instead of going with Sallie, stays with the beauty queen. Director Louis Malle perfectly captures the dark side of Atlantic City and Mr. Lancaster gives one of the best performances of his career and his last great one as lead actor while it is the first time Ms. Sarandon showed the skills that would make her one of the top actresses in the business. The film scored Academy Award nomination for Best Picture, Director, Actor & Actress but went home empty handed.

Rating:
Summary: City of dreams.
Review: A thorough pleasure. First and foremost, *Atlantic City* is about Burt Lancaster -- a more congenial subject than most, to be sure. The movie caters to sentimental feelings toward the actor and by extension his era, and there's nothing wrong with that. Lancaster's Lou tells a new acquaintance, a scuzzy young drug-dealer, all about the Good Old Days, back when they danced the "Floogie" and the "Floy Floy". Dreamily, he says, "Atlantic City was something in those days", and adds a sublime codicil: "The Atlantic OCEAN was something in those days." But playwright John Guare makes a point of infusing Lou with a dose of cynicism that acts as a healthy balance against his Old-Man sentimental nostalgia. He gripes about the "new" Atlantic City, with its Howard Johnson casinos and gentrified new boardwalk. "Too wholesome," he says with disdain. The old, seedy Atlantic City was a better match for old, seedy Lou, who is currently a penny-ante numbers runner, operating in the poor black neighborhoods, taking 50-cent bets. He lives alone in old apartment that's on schedule for demolition. His fellow tenants include a 1940's-era beauty queen (Kate Reid, who was the epileptic grouch in *The Andromeda Strain*), now widowed, who he once served as bodyguard and still takes care of (he even walks her poodle, since she's confined by hypochondria to her room) . . . and an aspiring blackjack dealer played by Susan Sarandon. The latter turns out to be the ex-wife of the scuzzy drug-dealer, and Lou ends up enmeshed in a petty Mob underworld in which -- despite his basic decrepitude -- he stands out as a sort of old-fashioned Man of the World. His involvement with this new breed of thugs culminates in his first "hit". (Don't worry; the two hoods he offs won't be missed.) Lou, who's never really been much of a criminal, finally earns his stripes, and the joy he exhibits in the aftermath should bring a smile to anybody's face. Perhaps *Atlantic City* should be shown to potential suicides: the movie tells us with great charm and wit that life is never over till it's over, and that there's no age-limit for finding self-respect. Technically speaking, old pro Louis Malle lets the city proclaim the film's themes, those being Changing Times, Old-and-New, and Regeneration. The many shots of simultaenous demolition and construction provide the appropriate visual backdrop.

Rating:
Summary: Beautiful film by Malle that is European in it's ambience.
Review: Arguably Malle's greatest accomplishment although I haven't seen Lacombe, Lucien the film is ostensibly set in Atlantic City with a mileu that suggests Paris perhaps. The entire film is very rich and textured, distinctly European in it's flavor. Burt Lancaster gives another winning performance with another jewel added to his already impressive crown. Susan Sarandon equally good as a woman with dreams and aspirations who has just arrived in Atlantic City in constrast to Lancaster character who has become disillusioned with his own existence. A wonderful character study and examination of interrelatioships with people.

Rating:
Summary: One Of Louis Malle's Best!
Review: As of late I have been watching the films of Louis Malle. I have watched some movies for the first time and others a second time around. What I've noticed about Malle is the way none of his films seem to have a distinctive feel to them. He seems able to direct every movie in a different style that is relatable to it's story. Each film carries it's own personal tone to it. Watch "Au Revoir Les Enfants", "My Dinner With Andre", "Damage" and this film. I don't notice any similarities in Malle's style of directing. And I guess that's a good thing.

"Atlantic City" is a film about lost hopes and dreams. The movie's most interesting character I feel is Lou (Burt Lancaster). A small time hood who remembers Atlantic City in the "old days". He claims he at one time knew all the famous gangsters. Lou is at an age in his life where he feels regret. He thinks where is his big payoff? For the past 40 years he has been Grace's (Kate Reid) bodyguard\boyfriend. And now seeks something more. He want to be one of those people who feels "important". He wants money and beautiful women around him. He wants to live it up in his old age.

The other main character is Sally (Susan Sarandon). A woman who is now on her own after he husband left her for her sister, who is now having a baby! Sally wants to become a dealer in a casino. She feels she has a lot to look forward to in the future. Things seem to be shaping up nicely for her and with enough time may get her life back on track.

What I like so much about "Atlantic City" is how Malle seems truly interested in these characters. This is one of those movies where the strenght lies not within the plot, but the people. Its the characters who make the movie because we can see ourselves in them. At one time or another I bet we have all felt a bit like Lou. I'll freely admit I have at times. We have all felt down asking ourselves when will our luck turn around. When will we hit the jackpot? For Lou it will come sooner than he thinks. But, Malle doesn't rush the movie. He lets the movie flow at its own rhythm. He really cares for these people and is willing to take the time to tell their stories. And in the end "Atlantic City" is a touching story that most people should find enjoyable.

At it's time of release "Atlantic City" was showered with awards and nominations. The movie went on to earn 5 Oscar nominations including "Best Picture". It won 7 Cesars awards, including "Best Picture" and it also won the Golden Lion award for "Best Picture". And Roger Ebert named it one of the ten best films of 1981!

I don't know if it was in some way meant as a joke or if I personally just got a kick out of this but Wallace Shawn has a brief cameo in the movie as a waiter. In a movie Malle made that same year "My Dinner With Andre" Shawn had a role in that movie. That movie was set with two people in a restaurant having dinner. This time around, Shawn is now the waiter. I don't know why but I just thought I'd mention this.

Bottom-line: One of the best films of it's year. Director Malle does a wonderful job of telling the story. The characters seem real enough where we give them our feelings. A strong touching movie.

Rating:
Summary: Captures a unique place during a unique time
Review: Atlantic City is a film that captures the time of transition that this city went through as it reinvented itself after gambling was legalized. Burt lancaster is perfectly cast as an-old time and small time numbers runner who is hanging on the fringe of the old Atlantic City. His musings about the "good " old days are one of the highlights of this film. At one point he tells a younger drug dealing hustler "you should have seen the Atlantic Ocean back then, it was really something." as he stares wistfully into the distance.

The comparisons between old and new are extended into the characters and their tastes in everything from clothes to music. The soundtrack alternates between 40's big band and modern jazz.

The decadence of Atlantic City is captured very realistically. Robert Goulet singing a campy song to a roomful of hospital patients as a new wing donated by the casino is being dedicated, etc.

Susan Sarandon is very good as a young woman who sees her escape route in obtaining a license to deal blackjack.

The scenes with her and Lancaster are extremely well done.

The supporting cast is also very strong.A well written script and a wintery overcast ambiance adds to the overall effort.

A movie that captures a unique place during a unique time.