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Plot Summary

Discover the intricate plot of Smokin' Aces (2007). From unexpected twists to emotional highs and lows, this detailed summary breaks down every moment to give you a deeper understanding of the film’s story.


Las Vegas magician and aspiring gangster Buddy “Aces” Israel finds himself in hiding at a hotel in Lake Tahoe while his agent negotiates a potential immunity deal with FBI Deputy Director Stanley Locke. Unbeknownst to him, the situation becomes dire when the ailing mob boss Primo Sparazza places a staggering $1 million bounty on his head, dispatching a mysterious figure known as “the Swede” to claim Israel’s heart. As the tension rises, a ruthless array of assassins competes for this reward, including the cunning master of disguise Lazlo Soot, deadly hitwomen Sharice Watters and Georgia Sykes, mercenary Pasquale Acosta, and the psychotic neo-Nazi brothers Darwin, Jeeves, and Lester Tremor.

In a bid to protect Israel, Locke assigns special agents Richard Messner and Donald Carruthers to bring him into protective custody. However, other forces are at play; bail bondsmen Jack Dupree, “Pistol” Pete Deeks, and Hollis Elmore are also hunting for Israel under the orders of the law firm that arranged his bail. The hunters soon find themselves ambushed by the Tremor brothers, resulting in a deadly encounter that leaves Elmore as the sole survivor. Meanwhile, Messner investigates the horrifying murder scene while Carruthers heads to the hotel, where all the assassins are already in pursuit of their target.

Amidst this chaos, Carruthers spots Acosta, who is masquerading as a hotel security officer. A fierce gunfight ensues, leaving both agents severely wounded. Soot manages to infiltrate Israel’s penthouse by posing as Hugo, Israel’s henchman. Tensions peak when Sir Ivy, Israel’s second-in-command, confronts him regarding the plea deal, leading to a scuffle with hotel security.

As the situation spirals, Locke unexpectedly pulls the plug on the immunity deal without informing Messner and Carruthers. The Tremor brothers storm the penthouse, engaging in a brutal battle that claims the lives of Jeeves and Lester. In despair upon learning about the deal’s termination, Israel contemplates ending his life.

In the midst of the pandemonium, Sykes finds herself trapped by Messner’s strategic move near the elevator. With the situation escalating, Watters provides sniper cover from a distance, proving lethal against Messner’s team. After a series of violent encounters, a wounded Acosta manages to shoot Sykes, while a dying Carruthers takes down Acosta, leading to a frantic chain of events. After a failed attempt on Ivy, Darwin Tremor escapes as Messner, distraught over the loss of Carruthers, allows Sykes and Ivy to leave.

As the hotel is stormed by Locke and his team, Israel is rushed to the hospital. Soot manages to escape, while Acosta is taken away on a gurney, still showing signs of life. A bloody conclusion awaits as Darwin meets his end at the hands of Elmore.

While at the hospital, Messner uncovers a shocking revelation: the Swede is, in fact, a renowned heart surgeon, and Soot was dispatched to harvest Israel’s heart as a transplant for Sparazza, who is actually Freeman Heller—once an undercover FBI agent believed dead by the mob. Heller’s true identity was a desperate measure born from a tragic past, where he adopted Sparazza’s persona out of rage.

Fueled by rage for the unnecessary losses, Messner confronts the grim reality of Locke’s intentions to sacrifice Israel to prolong Sparazza’s criminal empire. Dismayed by this callousness, Messner takes drastic action, locking himself in the operating room and shutting off life support for both Israel and Sparazza. As Locke and his men desperately pound on the door, Messner resigns from the FBI, laying down his badge and gun, ready to face the repercussions of his actions.

Timeline

Track the key events of Smokin' Aces (2007) with a comprehensive timeline. Perfect for understanding the sequence of major plot points, this feature offers clarity on how the story unfolds.


Buddy 'Aces' Israel Goes into Hiding

Las Vegas magician and aspiring gangster Buddy 'Aces' Israel hides out in a hotel in Lake Tahoe. His agent is attempting to negotiate an immunity deal with the FBI, specifically with Deputy Director Stanley Locke.

Lake Tahoe

A Bounty is Placed

The dying mob boss Primo Sparazza places a staggering $1 million bounty on Israel's head. Unbeknownst to Israel, a mysterious assassin known as 'the Swede' has been dispatched to claim his life.

Deadly Assassins Compete

Various ruthless assassins, including Lazlo Soot and deadly hitwomen Sharice Watters and Georgia Sykes, begin competing for the bounty on Israel. As tensions mount, these killers close in on their target.

FBI Agents Assigned

To protect Israel, FBI Deputy Director Locke assigns special agents Richard Messner and Donald Carruthers to bring him into protective custody. However, the hunters pursuing Israel are not just limited to the FBI.

Ambush by the Tremor Brothers

Bail bondsmen Jack Dupree, 'Pistol' Pete Deeks, and Hollis Elmore are also hunting for Israel. They encounter the Tremor brothers, leading to a deadly ambush that leaves Elmore as the only survivor.

Gunfight at the Hotel

As Messner investigates the murder scene, Carruthers heads to the hotel where assassins gather to hunt down Israel. A fierce gunfight erupts, leaving both agents severely wounded during a confrontation with Acosta.

Hotel

Infiltration and Confrontation

Lazlo Soot infiltrates Israel's penthouse by masquerading as Hugo, Israel's henchman. This leads to a confrontation with Sir Ivy, Israel's second-in-command, over the negotiation of the plea deal.

Israel's Penthouse

Immunity Deal Gets Pulled

Locke surprises everyone by pulling the plug on the immunity deal, which leads to chaos in the hotel. The Tremor brothers storm in, causing a brutal battle that results in the deaths of Jeeves and Lester.

Hotel

Israel's Despair

The termination of the plea deal pushes Israel into a state of despair as he considers ending his own life. The escalating violence only adds to the tension surrounding his fate.

Strategic Moves and Fatal Encounters

In a strategic move, Messner captures Sykes, but Watters provides sniper cover, battling against Messner’s team. Acosta, severely wounded, shoots Sykes, while Carruthers fatally takes down Acosta.

The Hotel Stormed

Locke and his team storm the hotel to extract Israel. As chaos unfolds, Soot escapes, but Darwin Tremor faces retribution from Elmore, setting the stage for a bloody conclusion.

Hotel

Shocking Revelation at the Hospital

At the hospital, Messner uncovers that the Swede is actually a renowned heart surgeon. His mission involves harvesting Israel’s heart for Sparazza, who is revealed to be Freeman Heller—an undercover agent thought dead.

Hospital

Messner's Moral Dilemma

Faced with the reality of Locke's ruthless intentions, Messner is pushed to confront the loss of life around him. This moral struggle intensifies as he weighs the cost of sacrificing Israel to protect Sparazza's empire.

Drastic Actions Taken

In a desperate move, Messner locks himself in the operating room and turns off life support for both Israel and Sparazza. His resignation from the FBI signifies a firm stance against the corrupt system.

Operating Room

Final Confrontation

As Locke and his men pound on the door, Messner prepares to face the consequences of his radical decision. The film culminates in a tragic yet necessary closure to a web of deception and chaos.

Characters

Meet the characters that bring Smokin' Aces (2007) to life. Dive into detailed profiles of the cast and their roles, exploring their motivations, relationships, and arcs within the story.


Buddy 'Aces' Israel

Israel is a magician turned gangster who finds himself in a deadly predicament after attracting a bounty on his life. He is portrayed as charismatic yet naive, which puts him in perilous situations as various forces converge around him. Ultimately, his choices lead to a heart-wrenching conclusion.

🃏 Magician 💰 Bounty

Richard Messner

Messner is a dedicated FBI agent torn between his duty and moral ethics, showcasing significant character development throughout the film. His determination to protect Israel highlights his conflicted nature. Ultimately, his internal struggles lead to drastic measures that challenge his agency's motives.

👮‍♂️ FBI Agent ⚖️ Morality

Stanley Locke

Locke is the FBI Deputy Director whose harsh decisions propel the storyline into dangerous territory. His pragmatic yet ruthless approach reveals the darker side of law enforcement's willingness to sacrifice individuals for the greater good. He embodies the theme of betrayal within the agency.

🚔 Authority 🔍 Investigation

Setting

Uncover the settings of Smokin' Aces (2007), from iconic locations to the time period that shapes its world. See how these elements add depth and context to the movie’s narrative.


Time period

The events of the movie are set in a contemporary timeframe reflecting elements of modern crime and law enforcement. The plot reveals the chaotic and desperate situations in which both lawmen and criminals operate in today's society.

Location

Las Vegas, Lake Tahoe

Las Vegas is known for its vibrant nightlife, casinos, and entertainment, often referred to as the 'Entertainment Capital of the World.' Nearby, Lake Tahoe offers stunning natural beauty with its mountains and clear blue waters, serving as a contrast to the bustling casinos of Las Vegas.

🏞️ Scenic 🎰 Gambling

Themes

Explore the core themes of Smokin' Aces (2007). From its commentary on social issues to its emotional undertones, delve into the deeper messages woven into the film’s story.


💔

Betrayal

Betrayal is a recurring theme as characters struggle with loyalty and deception. The actions of the FBI and the mob lead to a complex web of treachery that ultimately drives the narrative forward. Characters must navigate their allegiances while facing moral dilemmas that challenge their intentions.

🔫

Violence

Violence is a central element in the movie, with lethal confrontations occurring between assassins and law enforcement. These violent encounters fuel the tension and highlight the stakes involved in the life-or-death chase for Buddy 'Aces' Israel. The depiction of brutality serves as a commentary on the lengths individuals will go to for power and survival.

🏥

Desperation

Desperation permeates the narrative, as characters are pushed to their limits by circumstances beyond their control. From the FBI agents to the bounty hunters, every character faces critical decisions driven by urgency and fear. The lengths they go to for survival reveal the darker sides of human nature.

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