Leaving Las Vegas: Amazon.ca: DVD: DVD

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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

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Customer Reviews

97 Reviews

5 star:		(58)
4 star:		(12)
3 star:		(8)
2 star:		(5)
1 star:		(14)

Average Customer Review

4.0 out of 5 stars (97 customer reviews)

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4.0 out of 5 stars Gripping but depressing, Mar 17 2007

By

Mika Pakka (Toronto, ON.) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Leaving Las Vegas (DVD)

After reading several reviews about this film I feel that many people are missing the point of it. This is NOT a movie about alcoholism. If it were then it would be about Ben's battle against alcohol, or at the very least Sera attempting to persuade Ben to battle it, but other than a few feeble attempts (asking Ben to go see a doctor, asking Ben if he wants her to help him) she leaves Ben alone, much like she promised.

This is a love story, and a great one at that. This is a different kind of love story than you usually come across because both Ben and Sera accept one another for who they are, they do not try and change one another even if it would be for the better. It's not that the characters are pleased with each other's problems, or even that they are indifferent about them, but they accept them. They learn to look past the other's flaws and are able to find love.

This movie shows that anyone is able to find love, no matter how screwed up their lives may be. It shows that you often find love when you are least expecting it. After all I'm sure Ben's suicide would have been much quicker had he not met Sera. And if Sera hadn't have met Ben she wouldn't have to feel the pain of losing someone she loves. But they found each other anyways and for those couple weeks that they were together they seemed happy. The depressing part of this film is that it also shows that love is simply not enough. Even though Ben loved Sera it was not enough to save his life.

I would give this film 4.5 stars if it were an option, it loses the half star because of the soundtrack. While many people may love the soundtrack I don't care for it, even though it is fitting and really sets the atmosphere, it becomes repetitive and at times drowns out some of the dialogue. Regardless, I still recommend watching this film at least once, even though at times it can be difficult to watch. I rarely come across films that hit me this hard and stay with me for this long. It is one of the most powerful films you will ever see.

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5.0 out of 5 stars THE ONLY MOVIE TO EVER MAKE ME CRY, May 29 2004

By

Michael Kotrba (Palatine, Illinois United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Leaving Las Vegas (DVD)

i could go on and on but i wont, the facts are a) this is probably the most dramatic movie ever made and b) nic cage is the best actor on the planet. holy smokes was he amazing in this and elisabeth shue is perfect by all standards. i also dig "the third man" tributes in there - good job all around tonite i decided this is my favorite movie....which might last a week but it will remain top five forever. I know its a little late but seriously...congrats nic cage you kick ass.

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5.0 out of 5 stars Cage & Shue give the performances of their careers..., Mar 11 2004

By

DVDaHolic - See all my reviews

This review is from: Leaving Las Vegas (DVD)

Leaving Las Vegas (1995)

Leaving Las Vegas, upon release, was praised for what a powerful film it was. I didn't watch it up until about a couple of years ago. Mainly because I'm not a Nicolas Cage fan. But this is undeniably one of the greatest performances of the 1990's. Elisabeth Shue also turns in a raving performance, as a Vegas call girl. Ben (Cage in his Oscar-winning role) is a movie executive whose also a hopeless alcoholic. After losing his job and family, Ben sets off to Las Vegas with his severance pay, to drink himself to death. Along the way he meets a beautiful call girl by the name of Sera (Shue in her Oscar-nominated role) and soon after they fall for each other. Neither one of them is ever tearing the other down for their problems and seem to find peace with one another. This movie works on many levels. The main one is the love story -- that's anything but conventional. The other is the alcohol. We watch Ben kill himself slowly with massive ammounts of alcohol-- at some point, wishing he would just say no. The same for Sera, who is a genuine character you care about, you just want her to say no. I'm hoping MGM will release a nice little 2-Disc set for this movie. Some extras would be nice -- especially some deleted scenes and maybe some behind-the-scenes. The DVD -- both sound and video wise -- is excellent, it just lacks special features. All in all, the movie is one of the best of 1995 -- considering that it was up against such greats as Braveheart and Dead Man Walking.

Leaving Las Vegas was nominated for 4 Academy Awards including:
Actor In A Leading Role -- Nicolas Cage {"Ben"}
Actress In A Leading Role -- Elisabeth Shue {"Sera"}
Directing -- Mike Figgis
Best Adapted Screenplay -- Mike Figgis

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Most recent customer reviews

3.0 out of 5 stars Something different-not for the kiddies.
I like this movie and recommend it. Something to watch when you're alone late at night. Good acting by the talented Cage
& Shue. Makes an impression on you.

Published on May 7 2004

1.0 out of 5 stars BOOOORIIING
This movie is one of the most boring ones I have ever seen. Cage is drunk through the entire movie, and the woman he's with is a prostitute. Read more

Published on May 4 2004