21 A kindler, gentler Las Vegas

In Frank Gabrenya's review [Columbus Dispatch, Jan. 16, 2004, D7] of the new William Macy/Alec Baldwin movie, "The Cooler," he seems to ask why movies can't show the kindler, gentler Las Vegas of the 21st century. Why the ugly past draining all the romance and fun and family-friendly atmosphere away?

So I'm left to wonder was he writing tongue-in-cheek? Old style mobster sleaze, broken dreams and knee caps just can't be given a pretty face. The world of gambling still destroys lives, careers, families and bank accounts, whether or not a knee cap is busted.