MovieChat Forums > Casino (1995) Discussion > Did Sam Rothstein really need to beat up...

Did Sam Rothstein really need to beat up Lester Diamond right in front of Ginger?

posted 7 years ago by TheMan18 (12577)
15 replies | jump to latest

Seriously though, did he really have to do it, and did he OBVIOUSLY and HONESTLY expect some kind of understanding and forgiveness from her for doing that to him, as opposed to what happened later, given how she clearly stated to him that Lester Diamond is her childhood friend that means a lot to her?

And also, let's say he DIDN'T beat him up like that and got him hurt and whatnot, do you think that their marriage would've turned out differently and better?

[–] TexasJack (12515) 7 years ago

It was a mistake, but everything he did related to Ginger was a mistake, especially marrying her in the first place. They never had a chance.

[–] TheMan18 (12577) 7 years ago

Possibly, but it was HIS fault that he made those guys beat Lester up like that in front of her and the point was, that wasn't a right thing to do, correct?

But in your opinion, do you believe if that Lester Diamond beating didn't happen and he married her, then their lives wouldn't turn out differently and she would eventually escape from Sam Rothstein a little later or find some other reason to divorce him?

[–] TexasJack (12515) 7 years ago

She didn't love him and told him that quite directly, to her credit. She was always going to be mooning after Lester. If Lester had disappeared, she would have hooked up with another pimp-type instead.

[–] TheMan18 (12577) 7 years ago

True, but what I mean is, should De Niro have quietly handled Lester in front of Ginger instead rather than beat him up?

[–] TexasJack (12515) 7 years ago

Yes, beating up Lester in front of Ginger was a mistake.

[–] TheMan18 (12577) 7 years ago

Yes indeed, but why did he still do it and what was he hoping to achieve that way, did he honestly think Ginger would just let it go and forgive him?

[–] ecarle (14979) 6 years ago

"He didn't even have the guts to do it himself...he let his goons do it!"

Or something like that.

[–] JH66 (143) 6 years ago

Ace hated him, was probably jealous of his hold over his wife- their past?

By having him beaten, he probably hoped to exorcise Ginger and force her to think those days are over? It backfired in a big way.

[–] TaRaNRoD (1579) 6 years ago

"It backfired in a big way."

Well, even though, she was a totally annoying bitch from the beginning, he should have expected that one.

[–] ExTechOp (2758) 6 years ago

He should've expected EVERYTHING that happened with Ginger

That's part of the tragedy of it all

[–] Boricanator (1376) 6 years ago

He did it as an act of domination. It was his way of saying that if she ever tried to get with Lester again, he would kill him.

He hoped she would get the message and submit to him. It ended up doing the opposite.

[–] AP (5259) 6 years ago

Agreed. It was a power move.

[–] Sandman81 (1502) 6 years ago

It didn't matter. Ginger get couldn't Lester out of her head or her life. She would still have kept contact with him regardless, and blamed it on Ace for not letting her see her old friends and trying to control her. Having Les beaten just gave her a better excuse to be mad at Ace, helped her manipulate Nicky to agree with her.

My favorite part of that scene is right when Lester is about to get up from the table, he briefly considers taking the money, but quickly thinks better of it, probably hoping that if he left it, he might get out of there without getting beaten.

[–] Gd5150 (11104) 6 years ago

Best outfit in the entire movie. Lester Diamonds white Gucci suit. Hilarious!

[–] [email protected] (1640) 4 years ago

Although I see your point, Lester wasn't a childhood friend. He was her pimp when she was a kid.