Brian De Palma directs this crime thriller, starring Nicolas Cage as a crooked Atlantic City detective, caught up in a murder conspiracy within the confines of a glamorous casino.
During a prestigious boxing match, an important government official is assassinated, making the whole of this Atlantic City casino a crime scene. Rick Santoro (Cage), who was there mainly to make money from illegal gambling on the fight, becomes caught up in the search for the killer. His friend, and fellow law enforcement official, Kevin (Gary Senise), was supposed to be body-guarding the politician, so Santoro uses his expertise in being a crooked cop in order to protect Kevin.
As Santoro chases the only few leads he has, the conspiracy thickens, and more murders follow.
Truly reflective of the nineties style, Snake Eyes has a sense of indulgence about it, which could only fit a film of this time. De Palma’s use of overly long filming sequences and mounting tension with theatrical melodrama seems like nostalgic luxury to the modern viewer. However, anyone in their twenties or older, will still enjoy the form, and the suspenseful plot (similar in ilk to a Hitchcock), which is thrilling throughout.
Cage gives an varied performance, offering the film a degree of levity in places, which would be missing from other action stars. Senise, always a good choice for the complex character, is a worthy match for Cage, and the two create some brilliant moments of banter.
A little on the twee side in places, Snake Eyes is still an enjoyable nineties murder mystery, and evidence of De Palma’s ability to make an enduring film for the crime genre.
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