Little Vegas (1990)

Little Vegas Poster

Quirky serio-comedy about the unusual residents of a desert trailer park that mobsters want to turn into a gambling mecca.

Overview
"Little Vegas" is a 1990 American movie directed by Perry Lang. The screenplay was written by Anthony Peckham, initially launched on November 16, 1990. The motion picture is built around crucial elements of romance, drama, criminal activity, and comedy. The plot of the movie focuses on the small desert town of Baxter in California, making it the nickname Little Vegas, understood for its blossoming unlawful gaming scene. The cast includes Anthony John Denison, Catherine O'Hara, and Jerry Stiller.

Plot and Character Description
The movie tosses the spotlight on Frank (Anthony John Denison), a gambler with a shady past who transfers to the little desert town of Baxter to lay low. He works for a mob boss Eddie Deacon (Richard Assad), discreetly managing the prohibited betting operations going on in the town.

Nevertheless, Frank's days of obscurity end and he is thrown back into his previous life when a mysterious female, Lexie (Catherine O'Hara), moves into the town. Lexie is an enigmatic, captivating lady, who becomes the fascination of Baxter community.

Conflict and Resolution
The core of the drama begins when an unanticipated love triangle kinds in between Frank, Lexie, and Frank's boss Eddie. In the midst of an atmosphere currently extreme with illegal poker video games and casino-like operations, this love triangle brings extra tension. Frank succumbs to Lexie but discovers that his manager Eddie is likewise taken with her. Eddie, being the regional mob manager, enjoys no time in coercion, control, and violence to ensure he gets Lexie.

Frank, on the other hand, is torn between his duty to his manager, his love for Lexie, and his effort to keep his dark previous hidden. The film advances with Frank fighting these clashing interests. He tries to win Lexie's heart, only for her to fall into Eddie's hazardous world unknowingly.

The climax of 'Little Vegas' is reached when Eddie demands Frank to fix a poker video game to penalize a disloyal worker. Frank, consumed by his love for Lexie and seeing a chance to break free from Eddie's grip, hatches a plan. With wit and ability, he turns the tables on Eddie, conserving both himself and Lexie from Eddie's rage.

Styles and Reception
The movie explores various styles such as love, criminal activity, loyalty, and redemption. The main theme is an intricate love crisis set amidst a background of a dynamic but lawless town, metaphorically described as "Little Vegas". It offers the audience an extreme and interesting cinematic experience, blending aspects of romance, suspense, and the adventure of betting.

Upon its release, 'Little Vegas' received mixed evaluations from critics. While some applauded its compelling plotline and strong performances, significantly from Catherine O'Hara and Anthony John Denison, others slammed it for doing not have a solid storyline.

In summary, 'Little Vegas' paints a picture of a village soaked in prohibited betting activities, criminal activity, and a captivating love triangle. It remains an appealing cinematic work that showcases human disputes complexities amidst a world of criminal offense and love.

Top Cast

  • Tony Denison (small)
    Tony Denison
    Carmine de Carlo
  • Catherine O'Hara (small)
    Catherine O'Hara
    Lexie
  • Anne Francis (small)
    Anne Francis
    Martha
  • Michael Nouri (small)
    Michael Nouri
    Frank de Carlo
  • Perry Lang (small)
    Perry Lang
    Steve
  • P.J. Ochlan (small)
    P.J. Ochlan
    Max de Carlo
  • John Sayles (small)
    John Sayles
    Mike
  • Bruce McGill (small)
    Bruce McGill
    Harvey
  • Jay Thomas (small)
    Jay Thomas
    Bobby
  • Sam McMurray (small)
    Sam McMurray
    Kreimach
  • Michael Talbott (small)
    Michael Talbott
    Linus