The trailer for Alex Gibney’s documentary “Casino Jack & The United States Of Money” has landed and it looks to be every bit as provocative, angering and fascinating as his other celebrated films including “Enron: The Smartest Guys In The Room” and “Taxi To The Dark Side.”
Gibney’s film explores the corrupt world of disgraced D.C. lobbyist Jack Abramoff (who is currently serving four years in prison) and how it extends into the halls and pockets of the highest levels of government. Here’s the official synopsis:
High rollers in Indian casinos, hookers in Saipan, a murdered Greek tycoon, Cold War spy novels, plush trips to paradise… and the United States Congress. These are among the intriguing clues that add up to the epic mystery behind one of the greatest attempted heists in American history.
It’s a twisting tale in which a small group of charming con men use the power of the purse, the zealotry of religion and bare-knuckled political brawling to loot the American government for fun, ideals and profit. It’s about ambitious young men who wanted to change the world, the politicians who needed their money, the corporations and gambling-rich tribes who desired their influence — and how millions were extorted and the foundations of our democracy imperiled in the toxic mix of power and cash.
From Academy Award®-winning filmmaker Alex Gibney (Taxi to The Dark Side, Enron: The Smartest Guys in the Room) comes the outrageous inside story of CASINO JACK And The United States Of Money. Revealing our broken system of lobbying and campaign finance, the film is a true American comedy…but the joke is alarmingly on us.
The film opens on May 7th and we’ll go ahead and slot it in as an early contender for Best Documentary at next year’s Oscar ceremony. Interesting bit of trivia: Stanley Tucci and Paul Rudd provide some voiceover work in the film.
