The Movie
The job title of lobbyist has become something of a dirty word in recent years, and Jack Abramoff--a.k.a. Casino Jack--is probably the single biggest reason. No, he wasn't the only person who delved into the gray area of selling the influence of our lawmakers to any special interest group who could afford him, and maybe he wasn't even the worst of the lot. But he was caught bilking Native Americans out of millions, using his "friendship" with politicians like House Majority Leader Tom DeLay for profit, and getting involved in a very dirty offshore gambling venture.
All of this and more is well-dramatized in George Hickenlooper's fact-inspired film from late last year. At the center is another riveting performance from star Kevin Spacey, who has the courage to portray Abramoff not only as a bigger-than-life power player but also as a self-righteous liar who is ultimately revealed as a pathetic little man.
The way he manipulated our government to his own selfish ends is sickening, but the secrets exposed in Casino Jack are akin to turning over a rock, and suddenly we're all biologists.
The Picture
The quality of the 2.35:1 image varies, noticeably noisy in some scenes, but more often the picture is pleasingly crisp, as when the grasses at a golf course meeting are razor-sharp. Blacks tend to be richly detailed, while colors can be breathtaking. In fact, the image is so precise that we can spot the instances of visual effects, as when characters have been composited onto different backgrounds. Casino Jack was captured on digital video but with only the slightest streaking in motion. I did spot moiré in one shot of a thin-striped wall, but in general this is a fine master.
The Sound
This is not a head-turningly discrete or sublimely nuanced DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 soundtrack, but it does the job. I noted a subtle resonance and convincing environmental fill, with occasional hard details in the rears. Overall it is a serviceable, robust, wide side-to-side/front-to-back mix that embraces us in almost every scene. In-scene music and the original score are particularly well-balanced across the soundfield.
The Extras
Casino Jack: A Director's Photo Diary covers the production from May 23 to June 24, 2009. It can either play as a slideshow or we can flip through at our own pace, with some optional text from the late Hickenlooper that provides the only real behind-the-scenes insight on the disc.
The gag reel (about eight minutes) is more of the low-key, "you had to be there" variety, while the deleted scenes are actually extended versions of what we're already familiar with, sometimes in fairly crude form. The video for both is standard definition.
Final Thoughts
For those curious about the hush-hush, wink-wink game of Beltway politics, or anyone who appreciates the talents of Mr. Spacey, Casino Jack is an enjoyable, sometimes disturbing Blu-ray ride.
Product Details
Where to Buy:
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