Atlantic City
Nominated for 5 Academy Awards®
The people and the story are magnetic; the background is the city of dreams that almost came true. Atlantic City is revitalized as a resort when gambling is legalized. But the new industry also brings unsettling changes. For Lou (Burt Lancaster), 40 years a bodyguard-boyfriend to aging beauty queen Grace (Kate Reid), his number-running sideline escalates to mob involvement. A drug-related slaying leaves him a small fortune, a new car and a new girl, Sally (Susan Sarandon), who is the perfect completion of his fantasy. This romantic thriller won the Golden Bear for Best Film of 1980 at the Venice Film Festival.
Member Reviews
Rebirth in Atlantic City - Jimmy_Jam
I find it hard to pin-point what makes the film great; I think it is its portrait of life. Lancaster is an old pathetic hood' still collecting numbers in a time where casinos rule. His life is a sum of all his failures, which he both reminds himself and others remind him of. In a kind of sadistic way, he sees a chance to feel important again; a series of events unfold that are almost like a rebirth for his character, and in this state he becomes familiar with Sarandon, who is young and beautiful. He does not make any advancements in society, but just the belief he can is what is important to him; it seems to justify all his former failures. Its a pretty deep character study, that relies on the past as much as the present. A movie that is well worth your time.
Member Reviews
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Rebirth in Atlantic City - Jimmy_Jam
I find it hard to pin-point what makes the film great; I think it is its portrait of life. Lancaster is an old pathetic hood' still collecting numbers in a time where casinos rule. His life is a sum of all his failures, which he both reminds himself and others ...