Leaving Las Vegas

Starring:Kim Adams, Graham Beckel, Shashi Bhatia, Nicolas Cage, Valeria Golino, Al Henderson, Lucinda Jenney, Thomas Kopache, Anne Lange, Ed Lauter, Richard Lewis (II), Carey Lowell, Emily Procter, Stuart Regen, Julian Sands, Elisabeth Shue, French Stewart, Vincent Ward, Steven Weber
Studio: MGM (Video & DVD)
Product Type: DVD

Amazon.com

One of the most critically acclaimed films of 1995, this wrenchingly sad but extraordinarily moving drama provides an authentic, superbly acted portrait of two people whose lives intersect just as they've reached their lowest depths of despair. Ben (Nicolas Cage, in an Oscar-winning performance) is a former movie executive who's lost his wife and family in a sea of alcoholic self-destruction. He's come to Las Vegas literally to drink himself to death, and that's when he meets Sera (Elisabeth Shue), a prostitute who falls in love with him--and he with her--despite their mutual dead-end existence. They accept each other as they are, with no attempts by one to change the other, and this unconditional love turns Leaving Las Vegas into a somber yet quietly beautiful love story. Earning Oscar nominations for Best Director (Mike Figgis), Best Adapted Screenplay (Figgis, from John O'Brien's novel) and Best Actress (Shue), the film may strike some as relentlessly bleak and glacially paced, but attentive viewers will readily discover the richness of these tragic characters and the exceptional performances that bring them to life. (In a sad echo of his own fiction, novelist John O'Brien committed suicide while this film was in production.) The DVD features uncut, unrated footage that was not included in the film's theatrical release. --Jeff Shannon

Description

Best Actor OscarÂ(r) winner* Nicolas Cage and Best Actress nominee* Elisabeth Shue set the screen ablaze in this profoundly moving love story. Nominated* for two additional Academy AwardsÂ(r)Director and Adapted Screenplaythis emotionally charged powerhouse of a film graced over 100 10 Best Lists including Roger Ebert's #1 Movie of the Year. Ben Sanderson (Cage) is a career alcoholic who has hit rock bottom. Trashing all personal and professional ties to his L.A. existence, he sets off for the lights of Vegas on a mission: to drink himself to death. There he meets Sera (Shue), a beautiful, seen-it-all hooker. From the moment Ben and Sera connect, they form a unique bond based upon unconditional acceptance and mutual respect that will change each of themforever. In the words of David Thompson of Los Angeles Magazine, Leaving Las Vegas is a masterpiece. *1995

Customer Reviews:

A one-sided love story.......2007-06-28

I watched this movie for the first time last night. While digesting my own impressions, I decided to see what others have thought and so hopped onto Amazon. Reading other reviews today out of curiosity, I am struck by the repeated assertions that this is a mutual love story of Shakespearian proportions.

To me, this love story is entirely one-sided.

When we first meet Sera, she seems very much like a high-priced 'call-girl' who commands hundreds for her services. She describes being routinely abased and abused on the 'job,' but asserts that she's in control. Then we meet her boyfriend/pimp, from whose abuse she has already fled once only to be tracked down. Despite Sera's self-delusion that she's in charge and living a good life, we see evidence of despair and hopelessness as she not only submits to her pimps degradation, but even tries to defend it.

When she encounters Ben, who is introduced as an incredibly self-aware and self-destructive alocholic, it is his treatment of her as a person that finally reveals her own despair to herself. He doesn't want sex--in a touching and rare moment of lucidity, Ben recognizes his own lonliness and will pay a 'hooker' to talk to him for an hour. Sera ends up staying the whole night. With the pimp conveniently killed a few scenes later (my only quibble with the plot in general), Sera decides to 'rescue' Ben. The only problem is, he refuses to be rescued and bluntly demands that she can not ask him to stop, or he will leave.

We know from the outset that Ben won't stop drinking, he doesn't want to stop. Indeed, it seems his body is so enthralled that he can't stop. We see fewer and fewer moments where he is in command of his senses and actions, his compulsive need to drink just to stay conscious--and yet the incredible volumes of alcohol frequently rendering him incoherent--providing a tragic paradox. He drinks to live and lives to drink.

Sera watches his downward spiral, at first enabling in the guise of acceptance, but then with increasing distress. No matter how she tries, she can't break through. At one point she has to douse herself with alcohol to break through his drunken self-absorption, and even that ends in failure as he staggers, falls, and injures himself. Towards the end she begs him to see a doctor, the only time that comes close to her actually breaking her promise about not asking him to stop. And he refuses.

Sera admits that she's 'using him,' and I think that could be true. In saving Ben from himself, Sera finds a purpose in her own meaningless life. But as her failure to reach him becomes more obvious and his selfish course continues unabated, we see Sera's self-confidence waver. We see criticism from others that at the start wouldn't even have registered, now pummeling her. A new despair sets in as Sera realizes Ben can't be saved despite her love, because he doesn't love himself.

And while he says he loves her, he can't pull himself out of the bottle enough to really feel anything at all. Their last moments together are tragic and quiet.

To say that I 'enjoyed' this film is not the right word. I am haunted by it. I see redemption, somewhat, but only in Sera's character and not really enough to save her. The two lead actors are outstanding. Nicholas Cage is utterly convincing and revolting as a drunk. Elisabeth Shue brings out a curious combination of dignity and helplessness in her protrayal of Sera, the more sympathetic of the two characters. A haunting film, to be sure, but not an enjoyable one.

Arriving in Trite Town.......2007-04-16

Mannered acting and an agglomeration of late 20th century cinematic cliches -- the tart with a heart; the pimp with half a heart; the interminable cutesy-gawky therapy sessions -- grab an Oscar jury by the throat...and choke it.

One of the Greatest Movies in The World!.......2007-03-07

That's saying a lot by me, since that would be the second movie I've ever said that about. This brilliant picture, which when you first watch it, you'll think you'll never watch it again. It will ebb at you, demand of you to watch it again, reexamine it, watch the words spoken, look at the facial expressions. WHy this film did not win Best Picture, is only evidence of a stupid decision by the Academy Awards. This film was brilliant, this film was wonderful, this film was great. Buy it and buy it now!

Las Vegas Unbelievable!!!.......2007-02-07

I have watched this movie probably a dozen times. I found it to be one of the better movies out. Nicolas Cage was truly unbelievable!!! One of the best preformances by him. He is truly one of my favorite actors. Will still watch it over and over again. Love it!!!

Leaving Las Vegas (Movie).......2007-01-22

The ordering, speed of delivery were great, but there was one huge problem which ruined all the good points. The wrong movie was delivered. I ordered Honeymoon in Vegas and received Leaving Las Vegas. And it was too late to return the movie and receive the replacement in time for Christmas. So that was bad.

Average customer rating:

The Killers: Leaving Las Vegas
Starring: Killers
Manufacturer: Chrome Dreams
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

General | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music

General | Music Video & Concerts | Genres | DVD | Video

DVDs Under $14.99 | Today's Deals in DVD | Special Features | DVD | Video

The Killers: Destiny Is Calling Me
Hot Fuss: Deluxe Tour Edition

ASIN: B000NHG83I
Release Date: 2007-04-09

Description

The Killers: Leaving Las Vegas is a documentary film about this extraordinary collective and by using interviews with the band and those close to them, rare performance footage, numerous obscure photographs [many of which come from private collections], location shoots and a host of other features, this program is uniquely enlightening, hugely informative, and downright entertaining and is certain to become the standard work on this magnificent band. Extras include; Full interactive digital discography, exclusive gaming feature the hardest Killers quiz in the world ever and beyond DVD section

Charlie Rose with Tim Roth; Mike Figgis (December 8, 1999)

Average customer rating:

Charlie Rose with Tim Roth; Mike Figgis (December 8, 1999)

Manufacturer: Charlie Rose
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

( C ) | Titles | Features | DVD | Video

Description

Actor Tim Roth talks about his directing debut in the film, The War Zone, about the devastating effects of incest in a family in London. Then, the director Mike Figgis talks about his new movie, Miss Julie, an adaptation of the play by August Strindberg.

Average customer rating:

A one-sided love story
Arriving in Trite Town
One of the Greatest Movies in The World!
Las Vegas Unbelievable!!!
Leaving Las Vegas (Movie)

Leaving Las Vegas [Region 2]

ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

General | Drama | Genres | DVD | Video

( L ) | Titles | Features | DVD | Video

Days of Wine and Roses
28 Days (Special Edition)
When a Man Loves a Woman
Clean and Sober
The Lost Weekend

ASIN: B00004RYHI

Amazon.com

Customer Reviews:

A one-sided love story.......2007-06-28

Arriving in Trite Town.......2007-04-16

One of the Greatest Movies in The World!.......2007-03-07

Las Vegas Unbelievable!!!.......2007-02-07

Leaving Las Vegas (Movie).......2007-01-22

Average customer rating:

A one-sided love story
Arriving in Trite Town
One of the Greatest Movies in The World!
Las Vegas Unbelievable!!!
Leaving Las Vegas (Movie)

Leaving Las Vegas [Region 2]

ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

General | Drama | Genres | DVD | Video

( L ) | Titles | Features | DVD | Video

Days of Wine and Roses
28 Days (Special Edition)
When a Man Loves a Woman
Clean and Sober
The Lost Weekend

ASIN: B00004RYTV

Amazon.com

Customer Reviews:

A one-sided love story.......2007-06-28

Arriving in Trite Town.......2007-04-16

One of the Greatest Movies in The World!.......2007-03-07

Las Vegas Unbelievable!!!.......2007-02-07

Leaving Las Vegas (Movie).......2007-01-22

Average customer rating:

A one-sided love story
Arriving in Trite Town
One of the Greatest Movies in The World!
Las Vegas Unbelievable!!!
Leaving Las Vegas (Movie)

Leaving Las Vegas [Region 2]

ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

General | Drama | Genres | DVD | Video

( L ) | Titles | Features | DVD | Video

Days of Wine and Roses
28 Days (Special Edition)
When a Man Loves a Woman
Clean and Sober
The Lost Weekend

ASIN: B00005A4FM

Amazon.com

Customer Reviews:

A one-sided love story.......2007-06-28

Arriving in Trite Town.......2007-04-16

One of the Greatest Movies in The World!.......2007-03-07

Las Vegas Unbelievable!!!.......2007-02-07

Leaving Las Vegas (Movie).......2007-01-22

Hangmen "Sandra Bullock" / Who Shot Patakango? / Judgement: The Court Martial of William Calley "Harrison Ford" / Dynasty "Stacy Keach & Harrison Ford" [4 DVD Box Set]

Average customer rating:

Hangmen "Sandra Bullock" / Who Shot Patakango? / Judgement: The Court Martial of William Calley "Harrison Ford" / Dynasty "Stacy Keach & Harrison Ford" [4 DVD Box Set]

ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

Product Description

DIGITALLY MASTERED, INTERACTIVE MENUS, CHAPTER SELECTIONS

Average customer rating: