Leaving Las Vegas Movie Review 1995

Ben Sanderson (Cage) is a hopeless alcoholic who goes to Vegas to drink himself to death, which is where he meets Sera (Shue), a lonely hooker who loves him enough not to stop him. Definitely as depressing as it sounds, but still manages to have both a subtle sense of humor and compassion. Cage tops his best work and Shue proves she deserves better than the lightweight roles she's had in the past. Not for everyone, but worth the effort for people who like to see honest emotion and hate Hollywood's insistence on happy endings. Based on the semi-autobiographical novel by John O'Brien, who committed suicide shortly before pre-production on the film began.

Distribution

MGM Home Entertainment, 2500 Broadway, Santa Monica, CA 90404-6061, Phone: (310)449-3000, Fax: (310)449-3100, URL: http://www.mgmhomevideo.com, Remarks: Does not handle retail queries from consumers; contact your local video distributor.

Available on VHS, DVD
Running time 120 minutes.

Cast and Crew

Genres

On the Rocks, Oldest Profession, Viva Las Vegas!, Suicide

Screenplay

Mike Figgis

Cast

Nicolas Cage, Elisabeth Shue, Julian Sands, Laurie Metcalf, David Brisbin, Richard Lewis, Valeria Golino, Steven Weber, Mariska Hargitay, Julian Lennon, Carey Lowell, Lucinda Jenney, Ed Lauter, R. Lee Ermey

Cinematography

Declan Quinn

Director

Mike Figgis

Music

Mike Figgis

Producer

Lilia Cazes, Annie Stewart, Lumiere, MGM Home Entertainment

Awards

Oscars 1995: Actor (Cage); Golden Globes 1996: Actor--Drama (Cage); Ind. Spirit 1996: Actress (Shue), Cinematog., Director (Figgis), Film; L.A. Film Critics 1995: Actor (Cage), Actress (Shue), Director (Figgis), Film; Natl. Bd. of Review 1995: Actor (Cage); N.Y. Film Critics 1995: Actor (Cage), Film; Natl. Soc. Film Critics 1995: Actor (Cage), Actress (Shue), Director (Figgis); Screen Actors Guild 1995: Actor (Cage).