Rating: 
Summary: One Drink Over The Line
Review: 1995's Leaving Las Vegas is a dark, fatalistic film that unlike most Hollywood films, does not offer redemption at the end. Nicholas Cage stars in yet another edgy role as Ben Sanderson. As the film begins, we find that Ben has lost his reason to live as his career in Hollywood and his family have been taken away from him. He has vowed to move to Las Vegas and drink himself to death. One very powerful early scene, finds Ben downing a whole pint of booze in one shot at a bar and sinking into a hallucinogenic state. The scene is filmed in a hazy blurriness that captures the moment perfectly. Upon arriving in Vegas, Ben runs across a hooker, Sera, played by Elisabeth Shue. They connect with one another and soon Sera finds herself becoming attached to Ben. Ben offers no promises and demands that the one thing she never asks him to do is stop drinking. Sera grudgingly accepts this condition and they enter into a relationship that is based on a mutual neediness that only desperate people have. Director Mike Figgis does not allow the characters to change. Ben remains a drunk throughout the film and he fulfills his destiny and Sera never gives up her profession. Mr. Cage & Ms. Shue are brilliant in their roles and both garnered much acclaim. But as great as Ms. Shue is, this is Mr. Cage's film all the way. He is a commanding presence on screen and gives one the best acting performances in the last twenty years. For his troubles, he won the 1995 Best Actor Oscar. Ms. Shue was nominated for Best Actress and Mr. Figgis gained two nominations, one for Best Director and the other for Best Adapted Screenplay. This film was a surprise and so far an anomaly for Mr. Figgis. He showed nothing in his prior films to suggest he could pull off a film like Leaving Las Vegas and none of his subsequent films have built upon or matched this film's excellence.
Rating:
Summary: TOUCHING AND BRUTALLY HONEST
Review: There is no competition when it comes to greatest actors. Nicolas Cage is THE best. Now of course that's just my opinion, but i feel strongly about it. The reason?...this movie. This is one of the most beautifully touching movies of all time. You can tell that the Cage and Shue characters are really in love..and would do anything for each other..except he just couldn't and wouldnt....stop drinking. There are several disturbing parts in this film, that are extremely tastelfully done. The love scenes, are very touching. Cage is in top form for this film, and it shows. Ater all, it was said that he actually would get drunk and videotape himself, in order to study for playing the character of Ben Sanderson. THAT is pure dedication to acting. So, feel free to check this film out. Sure, you may not like it..but you'll never know unless you try.
Rating:
Summary: Cage & Shue give the performances of their careers...
Review: 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
Rating: 
Summary: Leave This movie
Review: Mike Figgis directs this indie offbeat drama that presents the strange and unusual relationship between Ben (Nicolas Cage), a lonesome alcoholic, and Sera (Elisabeth Shue), a crestfallen prostitute. They get to know each other in Las Vegas, since Ben went there to spend all his money and die. What we have here is an intriguing premise that fails to recieve a compelling development, delivering a melodramatic, dull, repetitive and annoying love story between two uninteresting characters. Nicolas Cage spends half the screen time drunk, making his character an irritating and sappy individual, and Elisabeth Shue gives a fine performance in a movie that doesn`t deserve it. "Leaving Las Vegas" tries to be subtle, introspective, intelligent and moving, but it ends up being contrived, boring, patchy and disposable. This film deserves a skip.
Rating:
Summary: Haunting Story of Unconditional Love
Review: Two lost souls. LEAVING LAS VEGAS is a tragedy from the very first frame--a tragedy surrounding two people drowning in the depths of despair. Suddenly thrown together in Las Vegas, a perfect setting for the decadence of their lives, these two haunting characters find love, a love as flawed as their turbulent existence, but a meaningful love just the same. Nicolas Cage deserved the Oscar he won for his depiction of an alcoholic determined to kill himself while looking through the bottom of a bottle; Elisabeth Shue should have won an Oscar for her portrayal of a lonely, hard-luck hooker. LEAVING LAS VEGAS is raw, brutal, and gutwrenching, yet poignant enough to allow the viewer to sincerely care about the two tragic characters. Look elsewhere if you're wanting a drama with a positive message or resolution. Higly recommended for those who wish to be challenged by a gritty, disturbing story that pulls no punches and holds nothing back. LEAVING LAS VEGAS is an exceptional film.
Rating:
Summary: Awesome performances, compelling characters.
Review: The screenplay, direction, and fabulous performances make this film worth 5 stars! I've watched it at least five or six times, and haven't started getting tired of it yet. The story in a shot glass: An out of control alcoholic (Ben) hits bottom, decides move from LA to Las Vegas to commit slow suicide, but finds love and some closure to his life when he meets Sera. Sera is a street wise yet hopelessly co-dependent (first to her abusive pimp, then to Ben) hooker, who finds a glimpse of self worth when she learns to love and receive it in return. Sort of a gritty, street smart "Beauty and the Beast" but without the fairy tale ending. Cage is outstanding as Ben, the alcoholic in the hopeless, final stages of his disease. He has the physical attributes down pat, from the shaking and glazed over facial expressions to the slow motion, understated weaving of an alcoholic with years of built up tolerance to the drug. Cage's Best Actor Academy Award is well deserved, but Shue is even better (she got robbed by not winning also). The pain showing behind the smiles she forces seems completely real, as she watches Ben slowly kill himself. She is torn between wanting Ben to get help and the fear she will lose him emotionally as well as physically if she pushes him to end his self destruction. In the end, they just choose to love each other despite the desperate circumstances of their relationship and the inevitable outcome. While others described the ending as depressing (it is), there is closure; Ben gets what he wants, an end to his alcoholic suffering, and you get the sense Sera will grow stronger and develop some sense of self worth from the experience of learning to love, and learning to let go. This film is definitely not for everyone. If you are the Harry Potter/Lord of the Rings type, you probably won't get it, let alone appreciate or enjoy the film. If you lean more toward "American Beauty" or "Fight Club", this is a must for your collection. Best quote(Sera): "Keep talking Ben, between the 101 proof breath and occasional drool, some interesting words fall out of your mouth."
Rating: 
Summary: Something different-not for the kiddies.
Review: 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.
Rating:
Summary: Leaving Las Vegas- A Moving and meaningful film
Review: This film is not for most people; it's very morose and gruesome at times, and it won't be entertaining and satisfying in the same way most mainstream movies are. It does however provide a very shocking and revealing look at the lives of a hopeless drunkard and a lonely prostitute. Nicholas Cage and Elizabeth Shue are superb portraying their characters and their skill is the driving force of the film. That isn't to say, however, that the directing, music, and screenplay weren't excellent as well. One particularly important aspect of the film is the relationship that forms between Cage and Shue. Some reviewers describe it as sincere love, however, I don't agree. Both Cage and Shue are desolate and vulnerable. The natural thing for both of them to do when they meet is to seek refuge in each other. Shue might love Cage, but it's more out of desparation for company than what she sees in him. Cage's interest in Shue is somewhat more confusing. Before his introduction to Shue, I got the impression that he was completely detatched from anything earthly. The relationship he maintains with Shue suggests otherwise though. I'm not really sure, yet, what to make of Cage. I never really knew what alcohol could do to a man until seeing this movie. Sure, a random drunk on the street is a common sight, but most people, who don't have a friend or family member with the problem, don't realize the extreme extent to which the obsession can develop. I'd recommend this film to anyone older than 17.
Rating:
Summary: THE ONLY MOVIE TO EVER MAKE ME CRY
Review: 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.
Rating:
Summary: Something different-not for the kiddies.
Review: 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.
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