Nicholas Cage brought home an Oscar in 1995 for his
performance in Leaving Las Vegas. Looking back at Cage’s career now in 2011,
his movies are either a miss or a hit. Quite frankly, he has more misses than
hits. Leaving Las Vegas is definitely one of the good ones.
Leaving Las Vegas follows the story of Ben Sanderson, an alcoholic
who decides to move to Las Vegas and drink himself to death. There he meets and
forms a friendship/relationship with a prostitute, Sera.
I loved this film, loved it more than I expected. I put this
film on and expected a feel-good movie that will entertain me for a couple of
hours. Boy was I wrong. This film is dark. It’s gritty. It’s depressing. There
was even one scene where it was so gut wrenching I could barely watch. As the
film progresses, it just got darker and darker, and more depressing as well.
It is a movie that I, as the credits start rolling, admire the
story of the film itself, without having messages of the film thrown in my
face. Often times when a film ends, I ask myself; so what? What’s the point of
the film? I did not do that with this film.
I simply accepted the film for the story it wanted to tell;
a story of two people who needed each other and fell in love with each other.
The experience of watching this film is different than most films. It’s an
experience where, at the end of the film, you miss the characters of Ben and
Sera and the times they had together. You feel like you’ve known these
characters for so long and now they’re not with you anymore.
The film comes together so well with the great direction and
performances. Mike Figgis directed this film brilliantly. With the help of the
music and great cinematography in this film, he brought the night life of Las
Vegas to life so well that the setting of this film becomes another character.
Also, the way he showed the effects alcohol has on Ben was
fantastic; the constant fade outs and ins that give you the feeling of
dizziness. The editing was superb that it too made me dizzy.
The script of this film is outstanding. Nothing in the film
would have worked without the script. In fact, there would not be a film
without a script. Mike Figgis once again brilliantly adapted a novel by John O’Brien
into this outstanding screenplay. Everything that happened in the film was
brilliantly written and necessary to the story. Every character in the film was
well written with great depth to them.
Nicholas Cage did a fantastic job in this film and clearly
deserved his Oscar. It is, in my opinion, his best performance. He did such a
fantastic portrayal as a drunk who loses everything he cares about in his life.
He did a great job at making the audience feel for his character; how messed up
he is and how isolated he is.
Elisabeth Shue was also great as Sera, a prostitute that
formed an unusual friendship with Ben. Her chemistry with Nicholas Cage is
fantastic. You buy their romance. You can feel their emotional and mental
connection. This is due to the brilliantly written script and the beautifully
acted performances.
It was interesting to see these two characters form a
friendship and transform that friendship into love. We then get to see the struggles
that they go through and the consequences they have to face. It was
definitely love that did not end when the film ended.
Leaving Las Vegas is a film about love, depression, and
acceptance. Everything about this film is incredible. Everything blends in so
well; the acting, directing, and writing. It’s a very powerful and emotional film
for me. There were times when I just felt so happy for Ben and Sera and times
where I just felt so sorry for them.
Leaving Las Vegas is a memorable film that will stick with
me for a long time. It changed my perspective on film and changed me as a
filmgoer. I definitely recommend anyone to check this film out. It will not
disappoint you. Heck, even I want to watch the film again.
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