... Leaving Las Vegas is a shining example of one of these, as we watch one man's steady demise due to his alcohol addiction. Along with this, we get a snapshot of the seedy side of prostitution in Las Vegas, which doesn't pull any punches. Although this is an extremely hard hitting drama, with ... Read review
Ben (Nicolas Cage) is an alcoholic whose life is falling apart. He goes to Las Vegas where ... more
the bars never close to drink himself to death. There he meets Sera (Elisabeth Shue) a hooker and asks her back to his motel. An extraordinary love affair de...
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There aren't many directors with the talent--or nerve--to compose and play the music for ... more
their films (although creepmeister John Carpenter comes to mind), and none have done it more artfully than Mike Figgis on Leaving Las Vegas. Though Figgis was nominated for both writing and directing Oscars (and Nicolas Cage won one for Best Actor) for the 1995 film, listening to his subdued, moody jazz (punctuated by vocal standard renditions by Sting and Don Henley) one can't help feeling that his music was unfairly overlooked. Smokey and mournful, it plays against the Vegas musical stereotype by underscoring the loneliness at the heart of Sin City. --Jerry McCulley
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Far beyond the blinding neon and deluded escapism of Nevada's favourite city, two ... more
disenfranchised souls are about to find solace in each other's anguish and anger. Ben is a full time alcoholic on a relentless pursuit to drink himself to death, Sera is a world weary hooker drained and scarred from the brutality of a dead end, downtown existence. Together they will form an unlikely, compassionate bond of unconditional acceptance amidst the cruel and gritty world of their chaotic and self-destructive lives.Directed by Mike Figgis (Liebestraum, Timecode) and based on the poignant cult novel by John O Brian, Leaving Las Vegas is an emotionally demanding and truly extraordinary film. Starring Nicolas Cage and Elisabeth Shue in career defining roles, Leaving Las Vegas is one of the most sincere, uncompromising and unflinching dramas produced within the Hollywood system. It is also one of the most unforgettable.
Not just the finest band ever to come from the world's gambling kingdom Las Vegas, but ... more
undoubtedly also one of the finest groups on the planet today; The Killers are a true phenomenon.Having charmed music fans everywhere with their dynamic debut album, Hot Fuss, the band have reinforced their standing as one of this decade's first division acts with a follow up record with does nothing if not surpass creatively its predecessor.The Killers: Leaving Las Vagas is a documentary film about this extraordinary collective and by using interviews with the band and those close to them, rare footage, numerous obscure photographs (many of which come from private collections), locations shoots and a host of other features, this programme is uniquely enlightening, hugely informative, and downright entertaining and is certain to become the standard work on this magnificent band.
Production Year: 2004 - Drama - Director: John Duigan - Original Language: English - Classification: 15 years and over - Starring: Charlize Theron, Stuart Townsend, Penelope Cruz
Production Year: 2004 - Drama - Director: Nick Cassavetes - Original Language: English - Classification: 15 years and over, 12 years and over - Starring: Rachel McAdams, Ryan Gosling, Gena Rowlands
Advantages: Realistic portrayal of an alcoholic Disadvantages: Some very graphical scenes
...shy away from the truth. Leaving Las Vegas is a shining example of one of these, as we watch one man's steady demise due to his alcohol addiction. Along with this, we get a snapshot of the seedy side of prostitution in Las Vegas, which doesn't pull any punches. Although this is an extremely hard hitting drama, with several scenes of violence, it is very engrossing as you watch the friendship between Ben and Sera grow, and really start to feel for ... ...her character.
Leaving Las Vegas is directed by Mike Figgis (The Browning Version) and I feel he should be applauded for making such a real drama. It would have been very easy to treat such a hard hitting story with kid gloves and to shy away from the reality. But Figgis has remained strong, and through some masterful techniques, has demonstrated the turmoil that Ben goes through as the alcohol controls his life. On top of this, he ... more
Ben Sanderson's life is slowly going down hill, after splitting from his wife and child, he finds himself drinking to forget the pain. Unfortunately, the alcohol is affecting his life, as he is unable to function until he gets a drink in him, suffering from severe shakes and sweats when ever he tries to go straight. Things reach breaking point, when his boss terminates his contract due to the decline in his work and lack of reliability. With nothing left to live for, he destroys most of his belongings and travels to Las Vegas on a mission to drink himself to death.
After booking himself into a cheap motel, Ben starts his mission to kill himself, but in doing so nearly knocks over a prostitute, Sera, whilst driving under the influence. After an evening of further drinking, Ben goes in search of the prostitute and offers her $500 to go back to his room with him. But once there, all Ben wants to do is talk, and tells her that he plans to drink himself to death. A strange bond forms between the two of them, as Sera starts to fall for him and he finally moves in with her. Although she doesn't want Ben to drink himself to death, and Ben doesn't like the fact that Sera earns her money from prostitution, they agree not to interfere with each others lives and to just enjoy each others company.
When Ben starts becoming physically ill due to the alcohol, Sera over steps the line and asks him to seek medical help. Ben is annoyed by this and goes out on a huge binge, where unaware of what he is doing is picked up by a prostitute. When Sera returns home from her night on the streets, she discovers Ben in bed with another woman and throws him out.
Once in a while, the Hollywood movie machine manages to get it right and make a decent film which is gritty, realistic and does not shy away from the truth. Leaving Las Vegas is a shining example of one of these, as we watch one man's steady demise due to his alcohol addiction. Along with this, we get a snapshot of the seedy side of prostitution in Las Vegas, which doesn't pull any punches. Although this is an extremely hard hitting drama, with several scenes of violence, it is very engrossing as you watch the friendship between Ben and Sera grow, and really start to feel for them.
The lead role of Ben Sanderson is played by Nicolas Cage (National Treasure) who won an Oscar for his performance. Cage's performance is masterful, as usually you would not feel much empathy towards a man who is trying to drink himself to death. But with Cage's portrayal you do, because underneath the alcoholic bravado, you know that Ben is really a nice guy who has let recent events knock the stuffing out of him. Opposite Cage is Elisabeth Shue (Hollow Man) as Sera the prostitute who falls for Ben. Shue's performance is as masterful as Cage's, and although she didn't win an Oscar for her performance, she was nominated. Again, you wouldn't necessarily feel much compassion to towards someone who is a prostitute, but in the case of Sera you do, as you can see how much it is hurting her to watch Ben kill himself. The whole film is based around the characters of Ben and Sera, and all the other characters in the film don't play a huge part. The only one who has more than a couple of lines is Sera's pimp, Yuri played by Julian Sands (Boxing Helena), but he is purely there to give some background to her character.
Leaving Las Vegas is directed by Mike Figgis (The Browning Version) and I feel he should be applauded for making such a real drama. It would have been very easy to treat such a hard hitting story with kid gloves and to shy away from the reality. But Figgis has remained strong, and through some masterful techniques, has demonstrated the turmoil that Ben goes through as the alcohol controls his life. On top of this, he has shown the pain that both Sera and Ben go through as they find themselves in a very difficult relationship. The soundtrack to the film is a mixture of blues, soul and jazz, which is used to highlight the emotional scenes as well as the chaos of Ben's life.= The Cast =======Nicolas Cage .... Ben Sanderson Elisabeth Shue .... Sera Julian Sands .... Yuri Laurie Metcalf .... Landlady David Brisbin .... Landlord Mike Figgis .... Mobster 1======= Technical Details =============Certificate: 18 Length: 111 mins======================= The Message & Christian View Point =============================What this film achieves, is to show the reality of what alcohol abuse can do to you. The way it takes control of your life, and with out it you cannot function as what you would term as normal, it's not a pretty picture. Usually Hollywood hides away from showing the real side of life, often preferring to give a false, more glamorous take on things, so that they do not offend the viewing public. But with the number of deaths linked to alcohol, still rising each year, it is about time that Hollywood got their act together and started to act responsibly in the way that they portray these issues.========== Conclusion & Rating ================Leaving Las Vegas is one of those films which I can only watch once in a while, because it is such a hard hitting drama which will bring even the toughest person to tears. But I guarantee you, that once you start to watch it, you will be engrossed right up until the end. I would recommend this to anyone who likes realistic, gritty dramas as it is exceptional. But I would warn fans of Nicolas Cage, that this is not like his current films, where we see a very over the top exuberant star, but in Leaving Las Vegas he shows amazing acting skills.
Unfortunately it is very hard to get hold of Leaving Las Vegas on DVD, with Amazon only selling the Region 1 version for £5.05.
Advantages: Totally brilliant portrayal of a drinking alcoholic from Cage. Disadvantages: Some very harrowing scenes.
~ ~ I couldn’t quite believe it when I discovered I hadn’t already written an opinion about this Nicolas Cage movie, “Leaving Las Vegas”, (1995) because it’s way up there in my ‘ten best movies’ list.
~ ~ Nick plays the part of Ben Sanderson, a hopelessly addicted alcoholic, whose life is now on the slippery slope to nowhere.
We see little glimpses of his former self, as a powerful Hollywood movie executive. ... ...with the world at his fingertips. But alcohol has no respect for either intelligence or social position, and Ben is now merely a shadow of his former self, and deep in the grip of his own personal demons.
~ ~ One scene at the beginning of the movie encapsulates beautifully the way in which alcohol has dragged Ben down, and robbed him totally of any last shred of his self-respect. His film producer colleagues Marc (Steven Webber) and Peter (Richard ...
the_mad_cabbie 26.10.2003 (27.10.2003)
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful Review of Leaving Las Vegas (DVD)
Advantages: Nic Cage, Elizabrth Shue Disadvantages: Sting hehe, Julian Sands
Hello, what are you doing reading this now, shouldn't you be doing something more productive? Don't smirk at me... LOL I know you think this is just going to be one big Nic Cage fest, but I won't even mention his chest hair or his soulful blue eyes... oh look you've got me started, thanks I needed that slap across the face, my hormones were as almost as out of control as teenage girl at a Will Young concert and that's saying something. Now where ... ...am a nerd are: Directed by: Mike Figgis Written by : John O ' Brien Running Time: 111 mins Certificate:18 Soundtrack: Sting,Michael Macdonald,Don Henley and Mr. Cage and Mr. Figgis.
From the opening titles it is quite apparent that this is not going to be a cheerfest. The twinkling spectrum of Las Vegas, in all her sordid glory has always attracted me like a moth. Don't ask me why, but one of my dreams is to get married by Elvis. Ben Sanderson is ...
Glorificus1 15.06.2002
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful Review of Leaving Las Vegas (DVD)
Advantages: A powerful performance from Cave and Shue Disadvantages: a gritty, adult theme
...in a modern form, then Leaving Las Vegas is surely it. It is a small story, really only centred around the relationship of two people and the plot hardly deviates from that axis. Thankfully the two leads are played brilliantly by Nicholas Cage and Elisabeth Shue, though I must admit it did take me a while to acclimatise myself to Shue's role. Not that she is in anyway not up to the role, the chemistry between her and Cage is totally convincing, its ... ...be a masterpiece.
Basically Leaving Las Vegas is a love story, but all sweetness and light it isn't. Ben Sanderson (Cage) is a serious alcoholic, he is already divorced though that part of the story is history even as the film begins and all we get on the subject is Bens throw away version of events, "I don't know if my wife left me because of my drinking or I started drinking 'cause my wife left me" He loses his job as a Hollywood executive and ...
steerpyke 01.01.2006
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful Review of Leaving Las Vegas (DVD)
- Introduction -
Leaving Las Vegas was released in 1995 (early 1996 in the UK) and it did very well at awards ceremonies. It gave Nicolas Cage what I believe is his first Oscar, for Best actor in a leading role and the basic story just somehow intrigued me enough to want to watch it. I'm not entirely sure why, I don't always go for such dark stories but when I saw it was going to be aired late night on TV, I thought I would tape it on my PVR, incase ... ...- Certificate -
Leaving Las Vegas is rated 18 in the UK. This is due to strong sexuality and language, some violence and of course continued scenes of alcohol abuse.
- Official Website -
You can find a small site for the movie here:- http://www.mgm.com/title_title.php?title_star=LEAVINGL
Where you can find the movie trailer, see photos and listen to sound clips from the movie.
- Conclusions -
This is a haunting tale of two people who feel they ...
IzzyS 23.03.2008
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful Review of Leaving Las Vegas (DVD)
Advantages: Compelling Story And Strong Acting Disadvantages: Not For An Action Fan
...mate anyplace, anywhere. Leaving Las Vegas brings you an alcoholic, Ben (Nicolas Cage), whose life is shattered, and in pieces. Who moves to Las Vegas in order to drink himself to death in the 24 hour bars. Sera (Elisabeth Shue) is a Vegas hooker whose life is missing something. The two meet and form an unbreakable bond.
In the initial scenes we see that Ben has lost his family, his job, all due to his drinking. At his wits end, he burns everything ... ...a few belongings and heads for Vegas in order to slowly die, while enjoying himself. Part of his enjoyment includes a prostitute, here he meets Sera, and a strong extraordinary affair begins.
Sera Invites him to stay at her place. The unlikely lovers make a bond that should never be broken. Ben promises never to ask Sera to give up prostitution, and Sera promises never to ask Ben to stop drinking. But as Ben breaks down, Sera breaks her promise ...
Sid76 06.03.2001
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful Review of Leaving Las Vegas (DVD)
ENTERTAINMENT IN VIDEO; CINRAM LOGISTICS, OPTIMUM HOME ENTERTAINMENT; ELEVATION SALES; TECHNICOLOR DISTRIBUTION SERVICES, WARNER HOME VIDEO; CINRAM LOGISTICS
"...[Cage's Academy] award was earned ten times over..." (Entertainment Weekly, pp.66-7, 07/06/1996)
"...A uniquely hypnotic and haunting love story sparked by Nicolas Cage and Elisabeth Shue at their career best..." (Rolling Stone, p.74-76, 02/11/1995)
"...[Shue holds] her own against Cage, matching him in pain and desolation if not in intensity..." (Sight and Sound, p.45, 01/01/1996)
"...Haunting....[Shue and Cage] are excellent..." -- 3 out of 4 stars (USA Today, p.2D, 27/10/1995)
"...Unrelenting in its vision, the artistic tour de force by director Mike Figgis is a descent into the abyss....Cage is in top form....Shue is equally skillful..." (Variety, 18/09/1995)
DVD Description
With LEAVING LAS VEGAS, director Mike Figgis spun critical gold out of what would appear to be a maudlin and hackneyed premise--a down-and-out drunk meets a hooker with a heart of gold. The reason for the film's success lies partly in its refusal to moralize, but mostly it is the strong performances of Nicholas Cage and Elisabeth Shue that make the story believable and poignant. Ben Sanderson (Cage) is a Hollywood screenwriter who has become an alcoholic. After being fired, he takes his severance pay to Las Vegas, where he plans to drink himself to death. There he meets Sera (Shue), a streetwise prostitute who responds both to Ben's wild antics and to his absolute gentleness. What Sera needs most is to be needed, and Ben needs her a lot. Figgis uses his whole bag of tricks--Sera talks to the camera, the exteriors are shot in grainy 16mm--but finally it is the perfectly-conceived relationship between these two wounded people that drew the rave reviews. The film was based on a novel by John O'Brien.
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