Review of Leaving Las Vegas (1995) by Stuart K — 05 Aug 2013

Written and directed by Mike Figgis (Stormy Monday (1988), Internal Affairs (1990) and Mr. Jones (1993)), this was adapted from John O'Brien's 1990 novel. It's a self-destructive and powerful drama about a slow suicide, and the distractions along the way.

O'Brien committed suicide when he learnt this was to be a film, but Figgis carried on regardless, and the result is a sad yet compelling character piece, drenched in alcohol though. Screenwriter Ben Sanderson (Nicolas Cage) once had it all, but he's succumbed to alcoholism, and it's cost him his job, and his family and friends.

With nothing to lose, Ben decides to go to Las Vegas to drink himself to death. Checking into a run-down sleazy motel called The Whole Year Inn, and begins his final days of drinking. He then meets prostitute Sera (Elisabeth Shue), who has an abusive pimp called Yuri Butso (Julian Sands), a Latvian immigrant.

Sera finds solace in Ben, and Ben does as well. But, Ben has made his mind up, and nothing will stop him from his drinking exploits, not even one sweet final love affair with Sera will stop him. Figgis saw this as a companion piece to Mr.

Jones (1993), which explored love in dark places, but this is a better film. With Cage giving one of his best performances here, for which he rightfully won an Oscar, what a shame it's been all downhill for Cage every since this film.