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Critic scores range from 0 to 100, with higher scores indicating more favorable reviews.

  • 90
    The Hollywood Reporter |

    A refreshing throwback to another era of moviemaking: This movie was poured from the bottle, not one of those bar regulator machines. It's got the kick, style and flavor of a straight-up story, before movies were watered down with the opinions of marketers, lawyers and committee heads. Read full review

  • 90
    Variety | Todd McCarthy

    Wayne Kramer's sexy and often humorous feature directorial debut surrounds its sweet center with the energy, flash and risk of the gambling capital. Sterling performances by William H. Macy and Maria Bello as the long-shot lovers and Alec Baldwin as a temperamental casino operator. Read full review

  • 88
    Rolling Stone | Peter Travers

    Wayne Kramer, who co-wrote the scrappy script with Frank Hannah, makes a potent directing debut and strikes gold with the cast. Read full review

  • 88
    Chicago Sun-Times | Roger Ebert

    The acting is on the money, the writing has substance, the direction knows when to evoke film noir and when (in a trick shot involving loaded dice) to get fancy. Read full review

  • 80
    Los Angeles Times | Kevin Thomas

    Director Wayne Kramer and co-writer Frank Hannah pull off a sleight-of-hand trick here, playing a gritty surface reality against dark Vegas mythology and getting away with it through a combination of shrewd, witty characterization and sure-footed storytelling skills. Read full review

  • 80
    Washington Post | Ann Hornaday

    Still, it's difficult to hold his whoppers against him. In creating characters of such spirit and life, and in imagining such a vibrant, imaginative homage to the transformative powers of love, Kramer, more than most, has earned the right to push his luck. Read full review

  • 75
    San Francisco Chronicle |

    Sly, sexy Las Vegas fable. Read full review

  • 75
    USA Today | Mike Clark

    Grabber sub-plots further boost a story that is basically made by its three leads. Read full review

  • 75
    Entertainment Weekly | Lisa Schwarzbaum

    A lot of fun early in the evening, when the Rat Pack ambiance is novel, but gets bleary by 4 a.m. in the story. Read full review

  • 70
    The New York Times | Dana Stevens

    Luckily this picture is rescued from cliché by the quality of the acting, and Mr. Kramer wisely gives the actors room to work. Read full review

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