Films that feature a gambling aspect have always proven to be a hit when they are released on the big screen. The pastime is popular with a number of movie lovers, while it is a hobby that is able to add excitement and bring tension to the stories that are being told by the directors.
Traditionally, male characters have typically been used for these scenes. But, there have been a few occasions whereby women have been made the main protagonist. Some of these female stars have excelled in the role when given the opportunity, with some creating memorable moments.
Sharon Stone in “Casino”
Sharon Stone is perhaps one of the most memorable actresses to have played a starring role in a gambling movie, as she portrayed Ginger McKenna in the 1995 hit “Casino”. Directed by Martin Scorsese, Stone provided a performance that was nothing short of incredible.
Playing Ginger, she appeared as a hustler that caught the eye of the casino boss as the mafia moved in on Las Vegas. Based on a true story, the actress was able to own the role that she had as she accurately played out the tragedy that struck McKenna in reality.
Jodie Foster in “Maverick”
Playing Annabelle Bransford in the film “Maverick”, Jodie Foster was also able to create a memorable performance that wowed audiences when the film was released in 1994. A remake of the classic 1950s TV show, she was a con artist that had looked to try and come out with the biggest bag of cash that she could.
While there are elements of seriousness, the film also combined Western and comedy themes throughout, as well as some romance. Foster showed off her skillset across the various genres, which helped her to leave a memorable impression on the audiences that have viewed the film.
Jessica Chastain in “Molly’s Game”
Arguably one of the most famous gambling-specific movies to have ever been released, “Molly’s Game” followed the real-life story of Molly Bloom and how she went from being a promising Olympic skier to becoming a notable person within the private poker scene with underground clubs for the rich and famous.
While it is now possible to play online poker with ease and enjoy many variations, Jessica Chastain’s portrayal of Bloom showed just how many in the US were looking to get around the various rules and regulations that surrounded the legality of the game in the early 2000s. She managed to create an environment of privacy and secrecy that famous celebrities and rich individuals would use before the FBI would look to shut down her operation after things went wrong. It showed how much power she had at the time, and Chastain’s performance in Aaron Sorkin’s depiction of the real-life tale certainly helped viewers understand that.
Eva Green in “Casino Royale”
James Bond movies are known for featuring gambling scenes, and given the title “Casino Royale,” it is hardly a surprise there was one. Arguably, it was one of the greatest ever, as the final act featured Bond and Le Chiffre in Montenegro, where they would go on to play a game of high-stakes poker.
However, Eva Green’s character, Vesper Lynd, is one of the key aspects of the film. She was heavily relied on by Bond throughout the film for a variety of different reasons. She had to have inner strength in order to be of emotional support, while she had to show that she could be strong enough to get the mission completed.
Kate Bosworth in “21”
There have been many gambling movies to have been released over the years that have been based on real-life stories, and “21” is just another one of those to have been produced that achieved success at the box office.
The story is about how a number of MIT students managed to find out a way of beating the odds by counting cards when playing blackjack without the casino being able to determine that they were. Bosworth may not have been the main lead, but her performance is one of the better ones in the movie. She was more compelling, with some wishing the main story was all about her, instead.
