Bingo and cinema: an unusual but winning combination
There is a reason if bingo is so loved all around the globe, even if has not the same fascination of classic games like poker and blackjack. Perhaps it is because of its accessibility or perhaps it is for other reasons, but it is not surprising to see it appear on the screen, in fact, there are many films or TV series that choose to use the game of bingo as a narrative device, testifying to its growing popularity in recent years, not only in the crowded gaming halls but also in its online versions. More and more users in fact dabble in the digital version of this famous game and are always on the lookout for the best platforms on the web that offer players bonuses and incentives. For this reason, many comparison sites have compiled their list of the best sites to play Bingo, such as the one proposed by Oddschecker on the following page: https://www.oddschecker.com/bingo-bonuses . But let us now see which are the most famous films or series in which the game of Bingo has played a central role.
Miss Congeniality, 2000
Directed by Donald Petrie, this film stars Sandra Bullock in the role of Gracie Hart, a tomboy working as an FBI agent. Agent Hart is sent on a secret mission and so she must participate incognito in a beauty pageant. A charming bingo scene unfolds within a lively senior home. Sandra ’s character disguises herself to investigate a potential threat during a spirited game. The interaction between Gracie and the residents highlights the personalities of the elderly characters. This scene not only provides comic relief but also deepens Gracie’s character, showcasing her ability to connect with diverse individuals in unexpected settings.
The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel, 2011
In this film we find a group of somewhat unconventional British pensioners who decide to go and live in a dilapidated old hotel in India, with the idea of being able to permit themselves some ‘affordable luxuries’ and perhaps open a new chapter in their lives. This is perhaps the film in which bingo plays the most important role, because it acts as a social reference point for the elderly guests of the hotel, who regularly get together to play and these gatherings end up becoming an opportunity to share personal stories, create emotional bonds and find the strength to seek happiness even in old age.
Better Call Saul, 2015
Better Call Saul follows the transformation of Jimmy McGill – played by Bob Odenkirk – into the unscrupulous Saul Goodman, it can be considered a sort of prequel of the tv series Breaking Bad. One of the show’s most notable bingo scenes features Jimmy hosting a game at a senior center. Seated before a room of older adults, Jimmy calls out numbers with enthusiasm, using humor and charm to connect with the crowd. The game itself serves as a clever business move: by earning the trust and goodwill of the players, Jimmy positions himself as a reliable lawyer for elder law cases. This moment marks a turning point in his early career, showing his resourcefulness and flair for turning seemingly mundane situations into professional opportunities.
Lady Bird, 2017
Lady Bird, directed by Greta Gerwig, has been nominated to many Oscars in 2018, when it was released. The film reports on the personal dramas of a girl, Lady Bird, who is in her final year of high school. The protagonist joins her mother and others, and the moment when they play bingo becomes an opportunity to engage in sincere and profound conversations, shedding light on the various facets of her problematic relationship with her mother.