why him?
These gangsters are so desperate and forceful trying to get Casevette's charactor to kill this bookie--why him? They must have their own guys, and if it was to get him more involved, why? They had him already due to money he owed.
shareGiving Cosmo the mission to kill the bookie wasn't what it appeared at all; it was a deliberate suicide mission. The Chinaman wasn't merely a bookie but the head of a whole criminal organisation bigger than the gangsters' (a Triad), and he was so heavily guarded that they were certain Cosmo would be killed in the attempt. That's why they get so panicked to find out that he pulled the hit off - if the Triad tracked Cosmo down they could trace him back to them and take revenge.
The point of the plan is never outright explained by any of the gangsters, but it's strongly implied that all they really wanted was to take over Cosmo's club, which they knew he would never allow while he was still alive. They talk about what a valuable location it is and start enquiring about what profit it makes even when they're intent on making him do the hit.
Excellent explanation! I gathered that as well from the film, but you did a much better job of explaining it.
shareAgreed. Excellent answer. It was meant to be a one-way mission. That about says it all.
shareAgreed also, this answer cleared up alot of things. Its funny how him pulling off the hit truly was just pure luck, he walked past like 3 or 4 guards who werent really paying attention and he didnt even realise it!
**taking a bang off a whisky bottle** Weve just ran out of wine, what are we going to do about it?