Like the standard-issue gamblers in Vegas who swear they’ll stop once they reach a certain dollar figure, Ben repeatedly says he’s going to quit once he reaches the $300,000 mark. And every time he reassures himself (and Jill) that his Vegas days are limited, everyone in the audience knows that won’t be the case, and that Ben’s downfall is imminent.
It’s often been said that “what happens in Vegas stays in Vegas.” But in Ben’s case, his Vegas adventures can’t help but color his everyday experience. Whether it’s logistical concerns of where to store his huge stash of cash (hint: it’s not behind the removable foam ceiling of your dorm room) or the lies he has to keep up with family and friends about his weekend whereabouts, Ben’s secret life is causing more trouble than it’s worth. And even though everyone—including Cole, the guy behind the scenes who takes him down (played effectively by Laurence Fishburne)—sees Ben’s demise coming from a mile away, it’s still an effective, entertaining story of how even the best of intentions go sour in a hour when greed and lies are involved. Always a timely lesson, even if it’s been played out many times before.
CAUTIONS:
- Drugs/Alcohol: Since drinking and gambling seem to go hand in hand in Vegas, there’s plenty of alcohol consumption in the movie.
- Language/Profanity: A smattering of your typical cuss words, including instances of the Lord’s name is taken in vain. But unlike other films of this ilk, the profanity isn’t quite as prevalent.
- Sex/Nudity: After much flirtation throughout the film, Ben and Jill sleep together. Kissing and the removal of clothing is shown, although nothing aside from Jill’s bare back is shown. There’s also a couple of scenes in a Vegas club where the women dancers are very scantily clad, one flashing her bare breasts in one scene.
- Violence: Once Cole figures out that Ben is counting cards, he warns him that he better quit by punching him repeatedly, leaving Ben bloodied and bruised.