Atlantic City (1980)

Director:

Louis Malle

Writer:

John Guare (written by)

Release Date:

3 April 1981 (USA)

Genre:

Crime | Drama | Romance

Tagline:

She made him become what he always wanted to be - a lover, a hero, a rich man...and a killer!

Plot:

Lou is a small time gangster, who thinks he used to be something big. He meets up with a younger girl...

Plot Keywords:

Drug Dealer | May December Romance | Motel | Gambling | Murder

Awards:

Nominated for 5 Oscars. Another 22 wins & 14 nominations

Cast

Burt Lancaster	...	Lou Pascal
Susan Sarandon	...	Sally Matthews
Michel Piccoli	...	Joseph
Hollis McLaren	...	Chrissie
Robert Joy	...	Dave Matthews
Moses Znaimer	...	Felix
Robert Goulet	...	Singer in hospital (special guest star)
Al Waxman	...	Alfie (special appearance by)
Kate Reid	...	Grace Pinza
Angus MacInnes	...	Vinnie
Sean Sullivan	...	Buddy
Wallace Shawn	...	Waiter (as Wally Shawn)
Harvey Atkin	...	Bus driver
Norma Dell'Agnese	...	Jeanne
Louis Del Grande	...	Mr. Shapiro

Also Known As:

Atlantic City (USA)

Runtime:

104 min

Country:

USA | France | Canada

Language:

English | French

Colour:

Colour

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Sound Mix:

Mono

Certification:

West Germany:16 (f) | Australia:M | Argentina:13 | Chile:14 | Finland:K-16 | Iceland:L | Sweden:15 | UK:15 | USA:R

Filming Locations:

Albany Avenue, Atlantic City, New Jersey, USA

Company:

International Cinema Corporation

Trivia:

In his conversation with Buddy, the reminiscent bathroom attendant, Lou mentions an incident that involved Nucky Johnson. Johnson was one of the most powerful New Jersey Republican's and a racketeer with the mob who ran Atlantic City from 1910-1941 before being jailed in 1941 for income tax evasion for which he served four years in prison.

Goofs:

In the beginning of this film we see a shot of a very large hotel being demolished, presumably to make way for the construction of a new hotel and casino. The imploded hotel is the old Traymore hotel one of Atlantic City's largest and most famous pre-casino resorts. The movie portrays the hotel as being demolished in 1979-80 so that it can be replaced with a new hotel/casino, gambling just being legalized in Atlantic City in 1978. However, the Traymore was closed and demolished in 1972 six years before gambling was legalized in AC and seven to eight years before the film was made.

Quotes:

Lou: Yes, it used to be beautiful - what with the rackets, whoring, guns.

Movie Connections:

Referenced in "Mystery Science Theater 3000: The Screaming Skull (#10.12)" (1998)

Soundtrack:

On the Boardwalk of Atlantic City

European feel...

Atlantic City has a very European feel about it although set in the US. It was directed by Louis Malle - a European - and reminded me in parts of Leon and Easy Rider. It has a wonderful late career role for the great Burt Lancaster. He plays a two-bit ex-hood who is now nothing more than a servant for his late friends widow. He constantly reminisces about the past grandeur of Atlantic City - even the Atlantic Ocean was different back then! The moment he gets some money, he goes out and buys a white suit and white shoes and wears them through the rest of the movie - looking like a man totally out of place with his surroundings and totally out of touch with reality.

Susan Sarandon in an early role is the ambitious small town girl who wants to work in a casino in France. The film opens with her rubbing lemon juice on her breasts. We find out late in the film the very logical explanation for that.

This is not a classic because the soundtrack, supporting roles and dialogue are ordinary. Its the two stars that you should watch this film for.