Leaving Las Vegas
1995 Directed by Mike Figgis
Synopsis
Leaving Las Vegas – The sadly beautiful film based on the book of the same name by John O’Brian portrays two lonely people in society. Nicholas Cage won an Oscar for his performance as the alcoholic Ben Sanderson.
Cast
Popular reviews
More-
This film kicks my teeth in in the most beautiful way every time I watch it.
Whenever an artist manages to combine and contrast beauty and reality I'm always sucked in without reservation, often leaving me wrecked but smiling. Figgis, Cage and Shue made promises here they unfortunately never kept in their later careers.
The notion of a man leaving everything behind to drink himself to death in the capital of sin is as strong as it is fraught with the danger of skirting melodrama. Figgis manages to walk this tightrope really well as he is as unrelenting for his audience as Cage's character is for himself. He cuts no corners and unveils two lives that meet, linked in misfortune,…
-
A beautiful portrait of two characters falling apart thats never depressing or boring, but lovely and tender. For every great Nicholas Cage performance, he does 3 really terrible ones, but when he's on top form, as he is here, he really is a brilliant actor.
-
God dam Nic Cage you magnificent bastard, you truly bring tears to my eyes. I have no idea how he does it but he is the De Nero of our generation in my opinion. This movie is never hard to watch even though it portrays loneliness and alcoholism in a very confronting way. I think that's down to the amazing chemistry between Cage and Elisabeth Shue who could make you believe this a documentary due to how realistic it feels. These two characters, one representing destruction and the other acceptance, is very moving to watch. Cage is amazing and is completely deserving of his best actor Oscar. Unless he was genuinely drunk during the entire shoot, he plays a depressing…
-
>Nicolas Cage researched his character by binge drinking, and would film himself drunk to study his speech patterns.
One of the great pains in my life is that i will never see this footage.
I didn't take as much away from this film as I'd have liked, it's a solid broken love story with a fantastic portrayal of alcoholism spear-headed by fantastic performances by the lead actors. I don't pay any credence to those who tell me ''Nick Cage? Good actor? Let me laugh even harder!'' because to me, he's always been great, even when his roles get utterly ridiculous; they're hilarious.
I'm like a prickly pear... I'm a prickly pear! -
One of the best representations of an alcoholic ever put on film. Nic Cage is heartbreakingly authentic as the suicidal Hollywood screenwriter who after hitting rock-bottom decides to drink himself to death in Las Vegas. The shocking and harrowing scenes of a man so addicted to alcohol makes for grim viewing.
Meeting with a prostitute on the "Strip" Cage offers the seasoned pro $500 bucks to accompany him to his hotel room. Avoiding sex but staying the night, the hooker played by Elizabeth Shue forms an unlikely bond with the depressive Cage. Telling her his plans for his demise she seems to understand how he feels. A romantic entanglement ensues and the two seem to genuinely care for each other… -
At the centre of Mike Figgis’ beautifully constructed and emotionally draining film is a frighteningly unrestrained performance from Nicolas Cage as the alcoholic screenwriter Ben Sanderson, who having fled to Vegas intends to drink himself to death. Elisabeth Shue’s support as high-class call girl is as sensitive as it is bewildering; while her intent to save Ben is touching, the immense danger of her job and sadistic connection to her pimp remains a lingering threat. Leaving Las Vegas tackles acceptance, resignation and despair as the two characters plummet into self destruction.
Recent reviews
More-
Wow. Even better than I remember. And Sting!
-
While this movie has flashes of brilliance (Nicholas Cage's entire performance, certain scenes primarily in the third act), the story dragged on a bit for me in the middle. I found myself not caring much overall about the relationship of the main characters. Elizabeth Shue is also very solid. Also, while I understood the somber tone the score was trying to set, it just didn't really work for me - maybe I was just in the mood for a more uplifting movie. Unfortunately, don't see myself watching this one again in the future, but could be worth a watch for the performances alone.
-
Leaving Las Vegas is an incredibly depressing tale of a deeply flawed couple that just happen to bump into each other and start a relationship right from the get-go, especially as it starts to reach it's obvious and inevitable conclusion. But it's also a very moving one, being one of few films that honestly depicts the devastating impact of alcoholism, and is boosted greatly by strong performances throughout as well as vague explanations as to how these characters exactly got to the situations they found themselves in, letting you focus even more on the problems of dependence in and of itself.
-
God dam Nic Cage you magnificent bastard, you truly bring tears to my eyes. I have no idea how he does it but he is the De Nero of our generation in my opinion. This movie is never hard to watch even though it portrays loneliness and alcoholism in a very confronting way. I think that's down to the amazing chemistry between Cage and Elisabeth Shue who could make you believe this a documentary due to how realistic it feels. These two characters, one representing destruction and the other acceptance, is very moving to watch. Cage is amazing and is completely deserving of his best actor Oscar. Unless he was genuinely drunk during the entire shoot, he plays a depressing…
-
I'm not sure why this was on my watchlist. I'm currently 30 minutes in and I'm not sure I want to keep watching it. it feels like a first time movie made in the 90s. I think that's what it is. Nic Cage is GROSS.
I decided I have seen enough.
PS there was a lot of "arriving" and "going to" las vegas, which is the opposite of the title. misleading.
-
I Like 1995's Leaving Las Vegas, I Like It Because I Like Nicolas Cage.
-
A relentlessly depressing pity party with two strong performances from Nicolas Cage and Elisabeth Shue.
-
I watched about 20 minutes of this before shutting it off. Not even remotely interested in seeing the rest of it, as the first 20 minutes bored me to tears.
-
Wow.