Leaving Las Vegas is an MGM film made in 1995 with Nicolas Cage and Elisabeth Shue directed by Mike Figgis, based on a semiautobiographical novel by John O'Brien. The film is notable for having been filmed in super 16mm, a format not usually considered to be suitable for commercial theatrical-release movies.

Two weeks after the production of the film had started, O'Brien committed suicide. A halt of the project was considered, but work on the film was continued as a memorial of sorts.

Leaving Las Vegas is arguably one of few films that presents an unflinchingly realistic, no-holds-barred depiction of late-stage alcoholism, in which the character played by Nicolas Cage (arguably also suffering from severe depression) is severely intoxicated throughout the entire film, binge-drinking in nearly every scene and experiencing severe withdrawal symptoms (such as delerium tremens) in the few scenes where he isn't. Throughout the film, Cage's character drinks an entire quart of bourbon in less than fifteen seconds, he mentions that he spends upwards of US$300 per day on alcohol, and perhaps the most illustrative scene involves his character being so blitheringly drunk, he falls backwards onto a glass table, shattering it, and seemingly unconcerned by the severe lacerations and glass embedded in his back, repeatedly exclaims "I'm a prickly pear! I'm a prickly pear!"

Another interesting note involves the little things that Ben does compared to a real-life alcoholic in this stage. One minor (and generally unnoticed detail) is when he and Sera are having dinner on their "first date"; Sera continues to eat her meal while Ben plays with his food as he glances back and forth between the meal and his alcoholic drink until he takes a large gulp of it. He looks at Sera and says in almost an apologetic manner. "I think I put too much salt on it." Generally, though not always, alcoholics tend to feel that the only substance they wish to imbibe is alcohol.

Plot synopsis

Ben Sanderson (Cage) is a depressed alcoholic Hollywood screenwriter who has lost everything due to his incessant drinking. After finally losing his family and his job, he rids himself of all his possessions, and decides to commit suicide by alcohol consumption in Las Vegas. After arriving, he meets Sera (Shue), a prostitute, and a deep friendship and understanding develops between them. Their relationship, however, is ultimately doomed. Sera has to promise Ben that she will never ask him to stop drinking. Ben, on the other hand, is not allowed to criticize Sera's occupation. At first the two are generally stable, Ben states that he is "totally at ease with this." (Sera's prostitution). However, after spending some time together, they both become more and more frustrated with the other's behavior. Over time, Sera attempts to get Ben to eat healthier (eating certain foods that are healthy) however Ben refuses to even notice these actions as he stumbles for more alcohol. Finally, one night, Sera becomes so fed up with Ben's alcoholism that she begs him to go see a doctor. Ben, furious but far too intoxicated (possibly brain damaged at this point in the film, due to his increasingly incoherent speech patterns) to express his feelings, goes out and sleeps with another woman. After which, Sera finally throws Ben out and returns to her life of prostitution, wherein she is anally raped and beaten by three teenagers. After being evicted, Sera finally receives a telephone call from Ben, who is on his deathbed. She goes to visit Ben, and they make love before he dies.

Throughout the movie the scene will switch over to Sera who is explaining what "happened" to Ben (although throughout the movie the audience is not certain if Ben truly dies or not). In the end we discover that she is explaining the story to an unknown person of Ben's (and hers) sad tale.

Primary cast

• Nicolas Cage - Ben Sanderson
• Elisabeth Shue - Sera
• Julian Sands - Yuri, Sera's Latvian pimp
• Richard Lewis - Peter

Award wins:

• Academy Award for Best Actor : (Nicolas Cage)
• Golden Globe Award for Best Actor - Motion Picture Drama : (Nicolas Cage)

Award nominations:

• Academy Award for Best Actress : (Elizabeth Shue)
• Academy Award for Directing (Mike Figgis)
• Academy Award for Writing Adapted Screenplay (Mike Figgis)

External links

• Official Website
• Movie Tome

1995 films | Films featuring a Best Actor Academy Award winning performance | Films featuring a Best Actress Academy Award nominated performance | Films based on biographies | American films

Да напуснеш Лас Вегас | Leaving Las Vegas | Zostawić Las Vegas | Leaving Las Vegas