Halle Bailey, Melissa McCarthy, and director Rob Marshall share the tale behind making their underwater musical with a groundbreaking Disney princess. He was the floppy-haired heartthrob of the 90s, but by 2018, Grant found ways to poke fun at the very fabric of actorly charm as Phoenix Buchanan. For more information, please see our Once there, he develops a romantic relationship with a sex worker played by Elisabeth Shue and the film shifts to include her narrative perspective. Drunk and stumbling out of his car, he requests her services on the streets of Vegas. Nikki Cox Net worth: According to reports of some media portals, Nikki's net worth is somewhere around $5 million. For obvious reasons, bottle labels had to be changed or reversed. This was the way everybody in their late twenties drank, right? One early morning, he drives drunkenly from his Los Angeles home down to the Las Vegas Strip; he nearly hits a woman, Sera, on the crosswalk. He dumped it because it made too much noise. One hell of an actor when he wants to be (check out Pig from 2021), hes also eccentric and leads an extravagant lifestyle. If acting is just professional pretending, Cage plainly chooses to take that one step beyond. But the way he discusses Nouveau Shamanic today offers some insight into how he brought his terrifying drunk to life. Leaving Las Vegas is a 1995 American drama film written and directed by Mike Figgis, and based on the semi-autobiographical 1990 novel of the same name by John O'Brien. Nicolas Cage and Elisabeth Shue are truly stunning in the 1995 film, Leaving Las Vegas, a powerful and tragic drama from director Mike Figgis (Internal affairs). Cage was grateful that he only had to be in the headspace of a suicidal character for less than a month. Actor-comedian Richard Lewis (Peter)who himself is a recovering alcoholicalso remembered Cage having someone on set describing drunkenness to help him out. Leaving Las Vegas. We couldn't shut down The Strip to shoot". Its the most truthful and honest depiction of the harrowing descent of alcoholism ever committed to screen, and its because of Cages raw, fiercely committed performance. Unauthorised use or duplication of our content without permission is a no. If there are two unplayable roles in the stock repertory, they are the drunk and the whore with a heart of gold. We couldn't shut down The Strip to shoot". He may go into convulsions. There are few memorably framed shots throughout the film. That was directly due to the low budgetthe camera was created by Swedish cinematographer Rune Ericson in 1969. Ben resolves to move to Las Vegas and reinvent himself. [18] Ebert wrote, "If there are two unplayable roles in the stock repertory, they are the drunk and the whore with a heart of gold. Why not experiment? Nouveau shamanic is nothing other than trying to augment your imagination to get to the performance without feeling like youre faking it.. [8] He said "it was one of the most enjoyable pieces of research I've ever had to do for a part." That such a film gets made is a miracle: One can see how this material could have been softened and compromised, and that would have been wrong. As it won awards from multiple film critics organizations and earned four Academy Award nominations, the film's release was expanded and it ultimately opened nationwide on February 9, 1996. Available to host your next spooky public access show. The movie is not really about alcoholism. The performance in "Leaving Las Vegas" earned Cage the Best Actor Oscar at the 68th Academy Awards in 1996 (Shue was nominated for Best Actress). MB: Imagine that nihilistic montage, extended out over the. Cage and Shue make these cliches into unforgettable people. I explained my view, that Cage's character Ben Sanderson saw life for what it was and decided to end it in a way that appealed to him (my take on his perspective). There was also a week and a half of rehearsal. All of the sudden from out of frame, Cage's arm grabs Caruso's shoulder from behind and we see Cage emerge. He sang Stormy Monday in the cab before he talked to Sera, but Figgis cut it for seeming too self-indulgent when it came timefor editing. I encouraged them [Cage and Shue] to do their own research, which they wanted to do anyway, and then ultimately the three of us got together and just started talkingtalking about anything, not necessarily about the film or the script, about anything that came up." Bens turbulence is mirrored by the profound unhappiness of Sera (Elisabeth Shue), a prostitute who acts as the films co-lead. Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window), Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window), Click to share on LinkedIn (Opens in new window), Click to share on WhatsApp (Opens in new window), Click to share on Reddit (Opens in new window), Click to email a link to a friend (Opens in new window), Ask Dr. Moron: How do I tell if Im pregnant?, Hot Cross Buns: One a Penny, Two a Penny Foodstuff. Polish mobsters are after Yuri, so he ends his relationship with Sera in fear that the Poles may hurt her. He told Film Critic: "It was just a week and a half of rehearsal. Since he was presumably still working out the kinks of this acting methodology when he was cast in Leaving Las Vegas, he bolstered his performance through extensive research on addiction encouraged by Figgis. By rejecting non-essential cookies, Reddit may still use certain cookies to ensure the proper functionality of our platform. Starring: Nicolas Cage, Elisabeth Shue, Julian Sands, Richard Lewis. Cooper (Tom Selleck). Cage said having a 16mm camera in his face was less intimidating and made him less tense than when he dealt with 35mm cameras. Design and text 1996 - 2023 Jon Sandys. The late authors family informed him of the coincidence on set. We think its great triumph is in the authentic portrait of manic depressive self-destruction. He went with a more action film focus after this, with daft (but entertaining) films like Con Air and Face/Off. That's why I did Mr. Jones, because I think manic-depression is a fascinating, sad, and amazing phenomenon. I don't know if you've a boyfriend, or a girlfriend, but I thought maybe we could get some dinner. How anyone can watch Leaving Las Vegas and still want to drink afterward is beyond me. But for me it looks a bit sleazy, I dont gamble, and Id want to visit more culturally invigorating sections of America. On the strip, Ben picks up a street-smart hooker named Sera in what might have been another excess in his self-destructive jag. You sense an observant intelligence peering from inside the drunken man, seeing everything, clearly and sadly. [26] The soundtrack also included three jazz standards performed by Sting and excerpts of dialogue from the film. Mike Figgis, who wrote, directed, and composed the music for this movie, is a filmmaker attracted to the far shores of behavior. The following day, Sera is spotted by her landlady returning home bruised and is evicted. Trapped in an abusive relationship with her manager Yuri (Julian Sands), she moves through life dissociated and disillusioned. "[8], Figgis encouraged the lead actors to experience their characters' ordeals first-hand by extensive research. He was her redemption, and when it seems he scorns her gift, she punishes herself. But in this explosive instance, Ben is clearly burning from agony within. Leaving Las Vegas is a 1995 American drama film written and directed by Mike Figgis and based on the semi-autobiographical 1990 novel of the same name by John O'Brien. For Cage, the success opened the door to bigger projects. It uses material from the Wikipedia article "Leaving Las Vegas". We brush those objections aside, because they have nothing to do with the real subject of this movie, which is that we must pity one another, and be gentle. It is sad not because of the tragic lives of its characters, but because of their goodness and their charity. "[5], Figgis had problems because permits were not issued for some street scenes. Heres an unusual Oscar winner from 1995, with Nic Cage on career best form. From the music, the acting (Shue especially), the absence of any real story, the editing, it meanders, the characters lack any developmentI could go on. "[7], Figgis encouraged the lead actors to experience their characters' ordeals first-hand by extensive research. On the 20th anniversary of the film's release, here are some life-affirming facts about Leaving Las Vegas. The film is perhaps the best cinematic argument for why, as a society, we should remain hyper-vigilant to how we romanticize alcohol. Recognizing, too late, the end of a relationship. Cage received the Golden Globe Award for Best Actor - Motion Picture Drama and the Academy Award for Best Actor, while Shue was nominated for the Golden Globe Award for Best Actress - Motion Picture Drama and the Academy Award for Best Actress. [10] He said "We didn't have any money, and we weren't pretending to be something we weren't. "Leaving Las Vegas" is one of the best films of the year, deserving many Academy Award nominations. He told Film Critic: "It was just a week and a half of rehearsal. He shakes uncontrollably. There's a scene where Caruso leaves the titty bar, and he gives an explanation to a random extra when question. In a particularly memorable scene, Ben, detecting a hint of exasperation from Sera, suggests that he leave her home and relocate to a motel. Australian and UK editions later were released. As we mentioned earlier, we dont know the full circumstances of Bens situation. Detailed plot synopsis reviews of Leaving Las Vegas. I encouraged them [Cage and Shue] to do their own research, which they wanted to do anyway, and then ultimately the three of us got together and just started talkingtalking about anything, not necessarily about the film or the script, about anything that came up. Nicolas Cage stars as a suicidal alcoholic in Los Angeles who, having lost his family and been recently fired, has decided to move to Las Vegas and drink himself to death. Instead, they talk and develop a rapport; Sera invites Ben to move into her apartment. She takes him in as she might take in a wet puppy. Also, the setting is perfect. The 50 greatest TV and movie detectives of all time. Ben Sanderson is an alcoholic Hollywood screenwriter who has lost his job, family, and friends. You'd think he'd get fired for coming to work drunk the first time. 2023 Minute Media - All Rights Reserved, was less intimidating and made him less tense. Thats what triggered the realisation, 17 years after the event. O'Brien died from suicide after signing away the film rights to the novel.[3]. He can be larger than life, sure, but his emotional presence never feels fake. [2], On Rotten Tomatoes, the film received an approval rating of 91% based on 53 reviews, with an average rating of 7.7/10. The factors that make this film depressing include seeing a once-successful man on a fast downward spiral, intent on killing himself. The pimp is soon out of the picture, and "Leaving Las Vegas" becomes simply the story of two people. For an alcoholic, Leaving Las Vegas is nothing short of a horror movie. Their vacation is ruined, however, when an inebriated Ben breaks a glass table by the pool. One early morning, he drives drunkenly from his Los Angeles home down to the Las Vegas Strip; he nearly hits a woman, Sera, on the crosswalk. [9] He said "it was one of the most enjoyable pieces of research I've ever had to do for a part. Sera returns to find them in her bed and throws Ben out. Lead actress Elisabeth Shue does a reasonable job as prostitute Sera, but nothing that would constitute a seemingly . [5][11] He said "We didn't have any money, and we weren't pretending to be something we weren't. Leaving Las Vegas was filmed in super 16 mm[5] instead of 35 mm film; while 16mm was common for art house films at the time, 35mm is most commonly used for mainstream film. He also appears in the film twice: Once as the mobster at the gas station and once as the lounge singer in a taxi ad. Staff writer Isabella B. Cho can be reached at isabella.cho@thecrimson.com. The two stars give the best performances of their careers, in one of the best films of their careers. Your email address will not be published. Copyright 2023 Meredith Corporation. He didnt have a filming warrant so the two actors had to be quick to avoid the police. She chastises him and walks away. His editorial work has been featured on the BBC, NPR, Rue Morgue Magazine, Film School Rejects, and One Perfect Shot. Shue's prostitute is however the crucial role, because Sera is the one with a choice. In this entry, we examine the Academy Award-winning performance from Nicolas Cage in Leaving Las Vegas. His work in Leaving Las Vegas is staggering because it's an unglamorous depiction of an addict at the end of their rope. Well also close by adding we think Mike Figgis (who also wrote the script) offers a thoroughly genuine account of mental health struggles here. If you use excerpts, provide us with credit. Welcome toThe Great Performances, a bi-weekly column exploring the art behind some of cinemas best roles. It's in a select category of films along with Million Dollar Baby, Monster where I really respect the cinematic achievement, but I'll hopefully never have to watch again. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Why cant we tear our eyes away from the emotionally devastating interplay between Brendan Gleeson and Colin Farrell across Martin McDonaghs films? I believe some people like going there as they get treated like a King/Queen and its open 24/7. A lot of conversations. Ben says he will not criticize her occupation either and she thanks him. It is also a sad, trembling portrait of the final stages of alcoholism. But, in a shocking twist appropriate for a season-ender, Cooper walked into his own memorial service, revealing to everyone that he survived the plane crash. As the bank teller asks him to sign his name, he clasps his hands around his arms and shakes uncontrollably. Cage's drunkenness is inspired in part by a performance he studied, Albert Finney's alcoholic consul in "Under the Volcano." Leaving Las Vegas Jump to Edit Summaries Ben Sanderson, a Hollywood screenwriter who lost everything because of his alcoholism, arrives in Las Vegas to drink himself to death. In a kind of existential way. Thats because he creates an alternate reality for himself that is vivid and alive, helping him ground any of his off the wall quirks. According to his sister, Erin, he was disgusted with editorial changes made to his script. I thought I was living life, but in actuality I was barely living at all. Its a sense of loss we see in Bens face when his boss fires him towards the beginning of the film. Entertainment Weekly may receive compensation for some links to products and services on this website. Nothing can reverse his belief that his life is not worth living, a conviction that extends the question: Was it even fair, then, for him to be with Sera? Its an out-of-time moment, where the audience is unsure if hes actually speaking to her or if this is simply a drunk conversation he is having with himself. Shortly afterward, Sera is approached by three college students at the Excalibur Hotel and Casino. Roger Ebert was the film critic of the Chicago Sun-Times from 1967 until his death in 2013. Making a splash: A deep dive into the live-action Little Mermaid with a new generation's Ariel. 1 year ago Save It is with great sorrow that I've just read this news, including seeing the posted pictures. All rights reserved. It's not a coincidence that some of the greatest artists have been manic-depressives. Instead of an alcoholic, Eating Las Vegas was about a corpulent man (Johnny Cocktails) who comes to Las Vegaswhere "the buffets never close"to eat himself to death. He accepts and moves in, even if Ben is passed out unconscious on her doorstep when Sera arrives home. Continuity mistake: When Nicholas Cage is in the pool and in a couple of other scenes where he is wearing a shirt you can clearly see a tattoo on his back, but when filmed without a shirt the tattoo is gone. "[19] Ebert named the film "best of 1995" and included it in his "best of the decade" list in the number 8 spot. Max and I would say it was like a death-bender movie in the vein of Leaving Las Vegas. Mike Figgis ' "Leaving Las Vegas" (1995) is not a love story, although it feels like one, but a story about two desperate people using love as a form of prayer and a last resort against their pain. [25] The film was also released on Blu-ray, HD DVD and LaserDisc.[26]. Interviewing Director Mike Figgis", "Cage Did Serious Research For Alcoholic Role", "Oscar Nominations Are Just One Surprise After Another", "How Nicolas Cage Gambled on 'Vegas' -- and Came Up Big", "Ebert & Scorsese: Best Films of the 1990s", "Leaving Las Vegas (1995) - All releases", https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Leaving_Las_Vegas&oldid=1147514134, "Ben Pawns His Rolex/Sera Talks to Her Shrink" (dialogue), "Sera Talks to the Cab Driver" (dialogue), This page was last edited on 31 March 2023, at 13:12. Synopsis Ben Sanderson (Cage) is a Hollywood agent who has lost everything because of his alcoholism. Ben Sanderson is an alcoholic Hollywood screenwriter who has lost his job, family, and friends. Then you have Sera, who is abused physically and verbally throughout the movie. Shortly afterward, Sera is approached by three college students at the Excalibur Hotel and Casino. The strange thing about Leaving Las Vegas is, despite the terrible subject matter, the love story is genuinely touching. [22] The video cassettes were distributed on November 12, 1996 in two languages, English and Russian, while the DVD was distributed on January 1, 1998 in English for USA and Canada. Elisabeth Shue and Nicolas Cage. Subscribe to our email newsletter. Its so frightening because Cages performance expertly captures the psychological temperament and physical disintegration of alcohol addiction. However, her career never really took offa shame given the talent she showed in the film. Figgis called Albert Finney, star of Under the Volcano, on Cages behalf to ask if Finney was actually drunk when he acted in the film. By accepting all cookies, you agree to our use of cookies to deliver and maintain our services and site, improve the quality of Reddit, personalize Reddit content and advertising, and measure the effectiveness of advertising. He goes off to drink himself into steadiness, and then it seems he returns and makes obscene suggestions to the teller, but they all take place in his head. Again, surprising given its subject matter. "I'm not sure if I lost my family because of my drinking, or if I'm drinking because I lost my family," he muses. He has a silver tongue thats been silenced by addiction; his words now nothing more than the pathetic rantings of a man on the cusp of throwing his life away. Leaving Las Vegas is a tough movie to watch, tho. Director Figgis filmed many scenes on the Las Vegas Strip. Leaving Las Vegas, the first novel by John O'Brien, is a disturbing and emotionally wrenching story of a woman who embraces life and a man who rejects it. Reading the book. Nicholas Cage and Elizabeth Shue were so dedicated to the film that she interviewed several real Las Vegas prostitutes while he went on a drinking binge to experience what might happen to his cognition and speech patterns. Mike Figgis brings his directorial eye to this very theme in his romantic tragedy Leaving Las Vegas (1995). It really shows the nature of mental health issues beneath our outwardly sociable exteriors. His consumption is elevated to an operatic level by Cage and director Mike Figgis, where you wouldnt be faulted for thinking it was a gross exaggeration of alcoholism. Follow her on Twitter @izbcho. But also some great and intriguing onesMandy (2018) is another fine example. To be sure this project wasn't compromised, Figgis shot it as an independent film, using Super 16 cameras to "grab" Las Vegas locations. I had been just like Ben, ashamed of the violent tremors that coursed through my hands. Sera's really sad. What could possibly attract Sera, the prostitute, to this wounded man? When he was working on Leaving Las Vegas in 1995, however, his method was likely still in its infancy. Cookie Notice He's also the author of 'The Binge Watcher's Guide to The Twilight Zone' (Riverdale Avenue Books). Brief Synopsis Read More An avowed alcoholic, Ben drank away his family, friends and, finally, his job. After limited release in the United States on October 27, 1995, Leaving Las Vegas was released nationwide on February 9, 1996, receiving strong praise from critics and audiences. In the next scene glass is half full again and in the next one - FULL. Sera, a prostitute, and Ben, an alcoholic, stumble together and discover in each other a respite from their unforgiving lives. Sera agrees, but Ben does not want sex. Sera doesnt seem to quite understand this and later attempts to stop Ben from drinking, which leads to the relationship coming to an end. But as someone who had just survived the specter of addiction, my stomach was churning because Bens behavior felt all too real.
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