My favorite scene in "Casino Jack" is when an FBI snitch quotes a line from the "Godfather" to Kevin Spacey's character near the end of the fast-paced political potboiler.
"I know it was you Alfredo. You broke my heart!"
The moral of the story was crystal clear at that juncture.
There is no honor among thieves.
The "Spacey" vehicle was launched last night amid a lot of frenzied fanfare at the exotic Mann's Chinese Theatre in Hollywood.
Sleek limousines purred at the curb, the paparazzi jockeyed for position, and celebrities trotted down the red carpet into the theatre with high expectations.
After all, "Casino Jack" has been garnering a lot of buzz in industry circles of late.
Inside, in the packed lobby - a bevy of bodacious babes and eager male suits - hovered about the fringes like moths to flame anxious to hob-nob with the tony elite.
Meanwhile, from my own perch on the sidelines, I was able to surreptitiously catch the scuttlebutt as it swirled all around me.
A few guests quibbled about the fact the ushers failed to seat them in the prestigious reserved section where they could pass themselves off as industry VIPs for appearances sake.
Tsk! Tsk!
In another corner of the plush environs, a couple of seasoned pro's cynically advised their friends to gobble down a bit of popcorn during the screening, before heading over to the Roosevelt for the chi-chi after-party.
"There isn't any food this year.The PR folks cut back."
Golly, how the mighty have fallen in these tough economic times.
Imagine that!
A powerful Hollywood studio scrimping on the Tinsel at a splashy World Premiere!
In due course, the lights were dimmed, signalling that the screening was about to get underway.
At this juncture, a posse of stragglers were hustled into their seats, just as Kevin Spacey was invited up to the podium to launch the premiere of the much-anticipated feature about a posse of smarmy lobbyists plying the hill in Washington D.C.
Unfortunately, there was sad news.
Director - George Hickenlooper - would not be attending the festivities because of his untimely death a couple of weeks ago.
The actor - recently bestowed with an honorary Commander of the "Order of the British Empire" (for his role in reviving London's Old Vic Theatre - proceeded to pay tribute to his good friend and business associate who he greatly admired.
Spacey - with a wide smile on his likable face - fondly recalled that he was cast for the role of the scoundrel - Jack Abramoff - on Facebook.
"Someone mentioned that I might be good for the part. So, George was poked," he chuckled with glee, looking back.
After flying over to London to meet with Spacey on location, the respected director signed the award-winning actor on for the five-week shoot.
"Casino Jack was well-received at the Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF)," Spacey proudly noted to the attentive filmgoers - obviously saddened - by the loss of Hickenlooper.
"In fact, for the first time, George was starting to receive long overdue rave reviews and accolades for his work," Spacey underscored to the rapt audience now hanging on every word.
"Thank you for coming and supporting the film and his family who are in attendance tonight," he finished up, with a touch of emotion in his voice.
The applause was stupdendous!
In a nutshell, "Casino Jack" is a dark political satire that takes a pot-shot at unscrupulous snake-oil salesmen lobbying for special interests (and in search of good favor) on Capitol Hill.
Kevin Spacey turns-in a remarkable bravado performance - one of his best - to date.
In fact, the celebrated thespian not only gets beneath the skin of the slime-ball character he is portraying, but breathes like into an unforgettable role that won't be soon forgotten.
For Spacey, the remarkable performance is a defining moment in both his personal life and professional career.
In reflecting on the film after the screening, I was inclined to recall a piece of advice my Art Professor once offered up on the subject of critiques.
"When viewing a work of art - whether it be a painting, a movie, or dance performance - the viewer must first stand back and fathom what just washed over them."
In the instant case of Casino Jack, the fast-paced dark farce about dirty politics, is so slick (well-written, acted to perfection, lushly produced) that it capably seduces filmgoers right out of the starter's gate before they are aware of what hit 'em.
Unfortunately, once the credits crawl to a close, there is a rude awakening.
I'll wager that once the initial potent power of the story-telling wears off, that - ten to one - a gaggle of filmgoers will ultimately feel like the innocents depicted in the film - that they have been taken.
But, if they're keen on a couple of hours of delicious raucous fun, all will be forgiven!
http://www.thetattler.biz
John Lovitz & Kevin Spacey turn in brilliant performances!
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