Leaving Las Vegas
BBBB
(out of 5)
Performances couldn’t possibly be better in this incredible love story. Nicolas Cage plays an alcoholic, washed-up screenwriter who gets fired from his job in Hollywood, sells everything he owns, buys as much booze as he can afford and moves into a sleazy hotel room in Las Vegas. While there he meets prostitute Elisabeth Shue and strikes up a friendship with her that turns into romance. What’s so wonderful about this very sad movie is how honest it is about the relationship these two people have, and about the reality of their lives–Shue’s hooker Sera is not a girl who could possibly have existed in Pretty Woman. The two leads give the performances of their lives, and Mike Figgis’ strong direction is amplified by gorgeous 16mm photography and his own hauntingly beautiful score.
Lumiere Pictures, A Lila Cazès Production, Initial Productions
France/USA/United Kingdom, 1995
Directed by Mike Figgis
Screenplay by Mike Figgis, based on the novel by John O’Brien
Cinematography by Declan Quinn
Produced by Lila Cazes, Annie Stewart
Music by Mike Figgis
Production Design by Waldemar Kalinowski
Costume Design by Laura Goldsmith
Film Editing by John Smith
Independent Spirit Awards 1995.
Toronto International Film Festival 1995
