Leaving Las Vegas

Starring: Nicholas Cage, Elisabeth Shue, Julian Sands
Directed by: Mike Figgis
Rating: R
Genre: Drama, Romance
1992

Times Seen:
Tim: 1

Summary: A man (Nicholas Cage) moves to Las Vegas with the sole purpose to drink himself to death as soon as possible. While there, he meets a prostitute (Elisabeth Shue). The two become friends and find some happiness at the depths of their despair.

Review:

Tim: Raw emotion. That is what this film simply oozes. Now, this is largely due to the performance of its two leads. But, the script and the subject matter lends itself to emotion.

It is fascinating to watch Nicholas Cage's character, an alcoholic who decides to move to Las Vegas and drink himself to death. Even more powerful than this is the relationship he strikes up with hooker Elisabeth Shue. Here we have two human beings living among the dregs of society and find a glimmer of hope in their connection to each other.

Cage gives a tour-de-force performance. It is one thing to watch an alcoholic with no regard for his own well being, and something completely different to see an alcoholic purposely drinking himself to death. Cage plays this part to the fullest, pulling you in his addiction and the possibility of finding some redemption in the downward spiral his life is taking.

While Cage was honored with an Academy Award for Best Actor, Shue had to be content with only a nomination. She deserved more, however. For every bit of incredible that is Nicholas Cage in this film, she matches him with her quiet, sensual performance. She is startlingly good and gives a memorable, remarkable performance. When you see these two actors both exploding on screen, you realize you are watching something truly impressive. This is the driving force behind the entire movie and why it manages to leave such an imprint on us.

Make no mistake, Leaving Las Vegas is not a film to be taken lightly- nor is it one you can watch too frequently. It is one that has the biggest impact only after a long period of time, when you can be blown away all over again. Movies like this don't come along every day, and you really need to go out and see this movie.

Rating 1-10
Tim's Rating: 7.5



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