The film has good commercial prospects with a quick, savvy U.S. The basic facts are culled from actual events but the focus is more personalized pinpointing the rise and fall of an individual making his American dream come true without fully understanding its meaning or nuance.
No doubt some will find plenty to chew on about American society and politics but director George Hickenlooper and writer Norman Snider wisely steer clear of playing those cards flipped over. The film features the final role of Maury Chaykin in a nice turn as a “seen it all” Italian gangster. Grounded by a riveting performance from Kevin Spacey as the disgraced influence peddler, the film is a scattershot approach to recent history that while slightly overblown in approach, maintains the fun of the pursuit of power and lucre throughout. The ripped from the headlines saga of Washington uber lobbyist Jack Abramoff (already the subject of the recent documentary release Casino Jack & the United States of Money) forms the basis for the sprightly, fictionalised Casino Jack that premieres at the Toronto International Film Festival.
