Casino Jack (2:04) 2010

Casino Jack is based on the true story of super lobbyist Jack Abramoff's rise and fall. Kevin Spacey stars as Abramoff, a devoted husband and father, who really became addicted to the power and money connected with the political system. The story focuses on Abramoff and his partner, Mike Scanlon, committing fraud against the Native American tribes involved in gaming. Abramoff took millions to peddle his influence to assist some tribes establish casinos and influence Washington politicians against other  rival tribes establishing their own casinos. Abramoff also invested in a cruise line and opened Washington area restaurants but as he was became involved in these pursuits he began to bounce checks as he was "hemorrhaging money."  Eventually, Casino Jack could know longer keep all his balls in the air and was investigated by the Federal government. He is currently serving six years in a Cumberland, MD prison. Spacey and the entire cast are wonderful in this tale of corruption. Kelly Preston portrays Jack's wife who is painfully aware of the situation and is unable to sway Jack from his path of self-destruction. This is a good companion piece to the documentary, Casino Jack and the United States of Money. Although this story is about a man who succumbs to the attraction of power and money, it is also about our political system. Legislators, either wanting to be elected to office or wanting to stay in office, take contributions from lobbyists. The more money a group contributes to a campaign, the more clout they have. Does our government's elected officials really serve the ordinary citizen? After watching Casino Jack, I doubt it.