Swaying between pleasure and despair, Elric throws himself into his pathological passion for the casino. Meeting Suzie could have saved him, but the young woman also sinks into gambling hell. The couple then start getting involved in the fearsome world of professional cheaters.
Direction
Schroeder's cold clinical eye on sweaty desperation
Acting
Dutronc and Ogier's toxic chemistry feels too real
Practical Effects
Pre-digital casino cheating mechanics are fascinating
Director
Barbet Schroeder
Trivia, insights & behind the scenes
Schroeder used real professional cheaters as consultants; some of the rigging techniques shown were still being used in European casinos at the time.
Part of Schroeder's 'trilogy of evil' exploring amoral obsession, between Tricheurs and Barfly — Dutronc was cast against type as the washed-up gambler after years as France's biggest rock star.
FR
