Review of Leaving Las Vegas (1995) by Jeremy C — 26 Sep 2009

Cage's performance as a suicidal drunk getting progressively more braindead has been sullied by his more recent roles that have overpowered his more dramatic outings like Leaving Las Vegas. This is quite a heavy movie filled with characters whose motivations are sometimes hard to follow or believe. Some intense moments don't seem completely necessary and are shrugged off believing that more insight could be found in the novel that the film is based on.

I didn't find Shue completely convincing and found her far too tidy for a Vegas prostitute that would shack up with a man who wants to die.

Cage's character goes from fun to depressing and is in no way a sympathetic character. In fact, none of the characters earn any sympathy because they have chosen their gloomy paths.

Profound?

A great soundtrack that gives the atmosphere of a jazz club and heavy subject matter create a movie that is hard to swallow but worth a watch if you want something moody and dark. A movie that is depressing to drink a beer with.