Croupier (1988)

In 1998, Mike Hodges, director of the iconic Get Carter, returned to the genre that made his name with Croupier, an unforgettable thriller that put leading man Clive Owen firmly on the map and established itself as a classic of British crime cinema.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 will be dealt.With a screenplay by Paul Mayersberg (The Man Who Fell to Earth, Merry Christmas Mr. Lawrence) Hodges first theatrical feature in almost a decade proved that he’d lost none of his edge. Cooly confident, mercilessly gripping and tautly directed, Croupier arrives on Arrow Video looking better than ever, newly restored from the original 35mm camera negative with a wealth of special features.