Review of Leaving Las Vegas (1995) by Dawdlingpoet — 20 Nov 2021

This is a pretty dark movie, of course, it offers an insight into alcoholism and the way that such people can view things.

As the movies goes on, it becomes clear that both Ben and Sera have their own issues, obviously and their own reasons to stay with each other.

Ben is an interesting character, its true that at times you can see his misery from his drunken state, while at other points he appears very happy, almost euphoric in a temporary 'out of this world' kind of drunken state and as the movie goes on, things intensify and Bens desperation increases.

I would have to say that Nic Cages portrayal of this character is very good, it seemed very believable, the disaffected look he gives being pretty convincing, im not overly surprised that he won an Oscar for this role.

The music played also helps set the scene, there are quite a few mainly old jazz type songs used, with lyrics that relate to the story in at least one instance ("Angel Eyes" by Sting, I believe that was).

In some respects, it is fairly disturbing viewing, how he goes from having what appears to be violent shaking attacks (some sign/form of alcoholic overdose? I wouldn't really know!), to being a pretty presentable man, with fewer signs of problems.

In the end, though, both of the characters' problems are shown in pretty unflinching ways, for what they are. Sera's desperation, in her loneliness, to stay with and help Ben and Ben, with little left in his life, except his dependency on drink to keep him in a constant state of drunkenness, in a vicious cycle of discontentment.

It certainly makes you think, what your choices and path in life may lead to, I suppose.

This is a haunting tale of two people who feel they have little to themselves, I suppose. The performances are very good and it may make you more aware of the desperation such people have (alcoholics and prostitutes), as well as how fragile such people can be inside.

The story is quite interesting and the soundtrack adds to the fairly haunting atmosphere of it.

For an 18 rated movie, it wasn't as explicit as I thought it may be, just be prepared for strong language and sex scenes/references mainly, though I did watch this taped from TV, so it may have been edited,though it was shown late at night, I can't say for sure.

An interesting and sad movie, that is worth watching. Recommended.