Part of Milestones of the Last Quarter Century
On June 3, 2000, our organization reopened the Belcourt after a year and a half of uncertainty. The period leading up to this is well-documented — and worth your time. On that day, tickets were sold for 25 cents. On screen that day was THE MUPPET MOVIE, Tom Tykwer’s WINTER SLEEPERS, and this slick UK thriller CROUPIER starring a little-known Clive Owen, directed by Mike Hodges — known best for GET CARTER, another iconic thriller that’s worth your time. Playing the Belcourt for the ensuing two-and-a-half months, it was indeed our organization’s first big hit. And with this screening on the evening of June 2, 2026, CROUPIER finally returns to bookend our organization’s first 26 years. God damn it, here’s to another 26.
Jack Manfred (Clive Owen) is an aspiring writer going nowhere fast. Taking a job as a casino croupier just to make ends meet, he finds himself seduced by the high stakes world of luck and chance. As the job takes over his life and his relationship to girlfriend Marion (Gina McKee) begins to crumble, Jack’s attention is caught by down-on-her-luck gambler Jani (Alex Kingston). Under pressure from her creditors, she asks Jack to be the inside man for a planned heist at the casino. It all sounds so easy. But even a pro can’t predict the cards he’ll be dealt.
Print courtesy of the Sally Cruikshank and Jon Davison Collection at the Academy Film Archive
“A smoothly executed jab in your solar plexus, a lean, smart film noir that pokes at you with quintessentially English disdain and sarcasm. But behind this chilly cynicism, you'll find gritty humanism. This thing does have a heart in there somewhere.” —Desson Howe, Washington Post (Apr 21, 2000) “Sharp and dryly urbane in its mod-Brit take on the noir, noir, noir, noir world of gambling, dames, and pulp fiction.” —Lisa Schwarzbaum, Entertainment Weekly (May 12, 2000) "CROUPIER is a reminder that movies don't have to wave their arms and scream to hold our attention. Stillness can be as riveting as frantic activity.” —David Ansen, Newsweek (May 28, 2020)
