Casino Jack Bagman back in January, director George Hickenlooper described his newest film as "Goodfellas in Washington." And if that's the case, then it's no wonder the trailer is wall-to-wall with Rolling Stones music cues. But where's Joe Pesci when you need him? [UPDATE: Casino Jack is still alive and well in the U.S.; what follows is a foreign sales trailer -- and an explanation from director George Hickenlooper.]
Oh, there he is -- dressed like Barry Pepper. This trailer for Bagman isn't as polished as most -- the music cues are blaring and loud, the voice over isn't great, there are some curses and the edits are jarring -- but that's likely because Hannibal Pictures released this thing and not, say, Twentieth Century Fox.
Still, the fan-made feel aside, Bagman does look fairly entertaining. As Abramoff, Kevin Spacey is perfectly smarmy and sleazy -- though it too often seems like he's channeling his postage necessary performance from 21 -- and Pepper steals the show by doing what he does best: Barely contained manic energy wrapped in gray suit. (Ah, memories of The 25th Hour.) There's also Jon Lovitz playing against type in the Alan King-in-Casino role and Kelly Preston playing to type as Spacey's on-screen wife. Plus "Sympathy for the Devil" and "Gimme Shelter"! What more could you want? Well, for starters, "Jumpin' Jack Flash" and a different title...
VERDICT: Maybe.
UPDATE 6/17/10: Director George Hickenlooper sends clarification and context for the trailer, its provenance and its legitimacy:
[T]he 'Bagman' title is only being used in the foreign market place. In all English speaking territories the film is still called 'Casino Jack.' [... T]he 'Bagman' trailer was quickly cut together by our foreign sales agent last November and was NEVER meant to be seen by the outside world. It meant for internal use only at the AFM market [at Cannes]. I admit it is a LOUSY trailer that I have no control over and it was NEVER intended for outside viewing. It was leaked and we don't know by whom. Again, no one was ever supposed to see it accept foreign buyers at AFM. And we all know how cheese-ball AFM is. That is the kind of mentality that specifically cut this trailer so by no means does it fairly represent the film.
Got it. And remember, there's Movieline's own first-look review from January to keep in mind as well.
[via The Playlist]