(a.k.a. "Atlantic City, U.S.A.")
US-Canada-France (1980): Crime/Drama/Romance
Burt Lancaster stars as Lou, an aging mob flunkey, barely making a living in Atlantic City. Susan Sarandon plays Sally, a casino croupier whose husband Dave (Robert Joy) steals a large supply of drugs from the mob. When he is killed, the narcotics pass to the unwilling Sally. Lou, in the midst of longtime affair with middle-aged gangster's widow Grace (Kate Reid), falls for the much younger Sally, becoming her savior by killing the mob thugs sent to shut her up. The killings serve a therapeutic value for Lou, proving that he hasn't lost his old panache. Atlantic City is lovingly photographed by Richard Ciupka, permitting director Louis Malle and screenwriter John Guare to root out the beauty and optimism in the then-seedy seaside resort. (US release, 1981: Paramount Pictures) (Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide)
5 nominations
· Best Picture 1981: Denis Heroux, John Kemeny - Producers (International Cinema Corporation, Paramount)
· Actor 1981: Burt Lancaster
· Actress 1981: Susan Sarandon
· Directing 1981: Louis Malle
· Writing (Best Screenplay written directly for the screen) 1981: John Guare
