Post by StevePulaski on Jun 28, 2011 14:30:49 GMT -5
Elisabeth Shue and Nicolas Cage in Leaving Las Vegas.
Rating: ★★★½
I tend to give Nicolas Cage a bad reputation because within the last, maybe six years, he's done nothing but forgettable and laughably bad films. The films themselves are poor, and he is not much better. Leaving Las Vegas is for all the people that believe Nicolas Cage hasn't done a good movie. Seeing this before, but rewatching it for the first time in years I can prove that if Cage is handed the right material he can be a good actor.
Cage plays Ben Sanderson, an alcoholic who recently had a crisis in his family. We see a picture of him, his son, and wife. We never exactly know why he is so upset, and the movie characters neglect to ask him any question. It could either be divorce or death. I'm going to assume death since he never hear from the wife or kid. Ben is a screenwriter, and once is alcoholism hits the breaking point, he is fired and moves to Las Vegas.
His plan? Drink. Drink nonstop and ask no questions about it. Drink himself to death. He meets a hooker named Sera (Shue) who is run by her abusive pimp Yuri (Sands). If neglecting to bring home a fair amount of money Sera will be cut with a knife on her thighs. Both have their share of troubles, and Ben only seems to be calm when she's around.
The film is a tragedy. This is the only role Nic Cage won an Oscar for and he's absolutely brilliant in it. Watching this in 1995, you'd probably never guess he was bound for winners like Drive Angry 3D and Ghost Rider in his future. Elisabeth Shue, who I enjoyed so much in The Trigger Effect, a hated suspense film that has a dark feel to it like this, was amazing as well and deserved the Best Actress win.
The score is true Las Vegas jazz. Certain scenes with music are very well shot, and you may find yourself rewinding them just to make sure you pay attention to the actors rather than the soundtrack.
The solace Ben finds in Sera is odd, but not unbelievable. Sometimes when your liver is about to give in and your head isn't on straight, the people you find comfort in are people you probably never would've looked at in your lifetime. Against all odds, Ben can get possibly one last friend out of his life before the drinking takes over.
Shot on only 16mm, the high definition transfer is a little grainy, and I noticed slight audio problems. That doesn't deteriorate from the film's quality, it's just a little odd. Leaving Las Vegas is a true down-note masterpiece as it showcases realism, and Ben's drunkenness without being too comical or too over the top to believe. With outstanding performances from both the leads, a soundtrack, and Casino-like scenery make for an unexpected and truly gripping film.
Starring: Nicolas Cage, Elizabeth Shue, and Julian Sands. Directed by: Mike Figgis.