Leaving Las Vegas
LEAVING LAS VEGAS (18)
D: Mike Figgis
Lumiere (Lila Cazes & Annie Stewart)
US 1995
112 mins
Drama
W: Mike Figgis [based on the novel by John
O'Brien]
DP: Declan Quinn
Ed: John Smith
Mus: Mike Figgis
Nicolas Cage (Ben Sanderson), Elisabeth
Shue (Sera), Julian Sands (Yuri)
Mike Figgis' downbeat drama of loss and desperation against
the dizzying neon jungle of Las Vegas is not a cheerful watch, in fact, you'd be forgiven for calling it downright depressing, but due to the power of the excellent leading performances, the
British writer/director delivers a heart-achingly bittersweet love story.
Losing his job due to alcoholism, Ben (Nicolas Cage) drives
from the glamour of Hollywood to a sordid motel in Las Vegas to go on one final binge session and drink himself into oblivion. What he doesn't bank on is meeting hooker with a heart of gold, Sera
(Elisabeth Shue), who is suffering her own occupational and personal troubles.
The two lost souls embark on a love affair which they both
know is doomed, but cannot prevent themselves from the bond growing between them.
Filmed on grainy 16mm to give it a raw look, this low budget
independent was named Best Film of 1995 by both the New York & Los Angeles Film Critics Awards, winning an Oscar for its leading man, who despite his reputation for wild-eyed overacting,
remains solemn, subtle and understated for an accurate portrayal of a man whose life has fallen apart due to alcoholism.
9/10
