KnockKnock1 This movie is essentially an updated version of The Lost Weekend which is a really old movie made long ago. A day in the life of a decent person that has fallen victim to the grip of alcoholism. Nicholas Cage's character wants to drink himself to death. Aside from all the drama that surrounds, thats really what he wants to do. The one Woman that could have saved him but loves him anyway, is performed by Elizabeth Shue. She respects him for what he is, and helps him on his way. I guess that is what true love. Accepting someone for what they are without judgement and that accurately sums up this magnificent film.

kijii Nicolas Cage won a Best Actor Oscar for this movie, while, Elisabeth Shue was nominated for Best Actress, and Mike Figgis received two nominations: Best Director and Best Writer for a screenplay. Figgis also wrote the original film score for the movie and had a small acting part. So, in many ways, this was HIS movie.This is easily the most depressing Oscar-winning movie in my recollection, and movies don't often depress me. However, this one about a hopeless self-destructive alcoholic, Ben Sanderson (Nicholas Cage), who openly declares that he plans to drink himself to death is depressing beyond belief. When he meets a 'high-price' Las Vegas hooker, Sera (Elisabeth Shue), who loves him so much that she wants to live with him, she must agree never to interfere with his planned 'dipsosuicide.' Sera: Don't you like me, Ben? Ben: Sera... what you don't understand is- no, see, no. You can never, never ask me to stop drinking. Do you understand? Sera: I do. I really do.The two live out their two separate lives while watching their mutual destruction without complaint.I think that Cage DID play the alcoholic personality rather well in that he tries to be loved in spite of his despicable and unapologetic condition, often trying to laugh it off, which, I understand, is often the way that alcoholics deal with the disease. That is, he wants to be loved in spite of his declared suicide pact:Sera: Is drinking a way of killing yourself? Ben: Or, is killing myself a way of drinking?Perhaps, Cage played the role TOO well for me as I will never look at this movie again. It is the type of movie that makes you want to have a coffee enema, a sweat bath, a week-long fast, and then have your body and soul dry-cleaned and then wet cleaned just to make sure.

Screen_Blitz Alcohol addiction is the dangerous feat, and films with gloomy character studies like these can be difficult to sit through and hit too close to home, particularly those who have a family member dealing with a similar problem. This film directed by Mile Figgis however, is about something more than alcoholism. It is a romantic story between a man who's alcoholism becomes a primary treatment for his dominating depression, and a woman who becomes his last light of levity before he lets his depression consume him; and this film doesn't come without phenomenal performances by it's spellbinding leads who tug at the heart strings almost every chance they get. Based on the novel by John O'Brien who at the age of 34 allegedly shot himself around the time Mike Figgis launch this film on production, this drama piece stars Nicolas Cage as a former Los Angelos screenwriter Ben Sanderson who's alcohol addiction costs him his wife, his son, and eventually his job in Hollywood. With his plunged to rock-bottom, Ben decides he has no way of moving on anymore. In response, he leaves everything behind in his Los Angelos home and moves to an apartment in Las Vegas with a large array of booze to do one last thing: drink himself to death. Unexpectedly along the way, he meets sexy prostitute Sera (played by Elizabeth Shue) who has problems of her own, she is stuck in relationship with a manipulative pimp named Yuri (played by Julian Sands). But once he severs ties with him, she finds herself suddenly involved with a relationship with Ben.From beginning to end, this film is certainly not your average love story between with a man and a woman with different critical backgrounds. In fact, almost every common trope in the romantic genre is thrown out the window in favor for a more intelligent, riveting, but nonetheless deeply depressing romantic tale. This one is definitely not an easy one to sit through as the story centers on a man who's lost all hope in life and bargains in on alcoholism as a therapeutic practice for his clinically depressed state, and the film pervades this with a gloomy atmosphere. In the midst of this, it also provides a sense of hope when the main character touches ties with a young prostitute who he unexpectedly finds as his source of conformity. Soon, the relationship that forms between the two serves as the emotional core of the story. It's smart, it's realistic, and it never tries to go for the melodramatic route but instead lets its emotional resonance run naturally; and with the riveting performances by both Nicolas Cage and Elizabeth Shue motivating the gravity of the story, the results in a powerful, of poignant romantic tale. Though the gloomy atmosphere is enough to turn some viewers away as there is rarely moments of levity and the amount of humor is as scarce as water in a desert, but the great level of nuance and the irony of how Sera never makes a desperate attempt to stop Ben from drinking himself to death simply because of her love to fulfill his desires before he ends his life make this a film with great admiration. Leaving Las Vegas is a powerful, potent romantic piece complete with a phenomenal performance by Nicolas Cage and co-star Elizabeth Shue, and Mike Figgis's successful direction on bringing John O'Brien's memoir to the silver screen. It's a smart, riveting drama best recommended for fans of Nicolas Cage, but in the other hand should only be watched once as the overall depressing atmosphere of this film more than likely destined to be a difficult for first viewing, let alone a replay.

Jawbox5 Alcoholism has always been a great device in movies. Over the years there have been many successful films that deal with addiction to alcohol and the devastating effects that come with it (The Lost Weekend, When a Man Loves a Woman, Days of Wine and Roses, to name but a few). It is a serious issue and subject matter, so the films that appear to succeed when tackling the issue are the ones that treat it with the importance it deserves. In saying that, Mike Figgis' Leaving Las Vegas might well be the bleakest of the lot. It features a washed up writer named Ben (an Oscar-winning Nicolas Cage) who heads to Las Vegas with the sole purpose of drinking himself to death. There is little about him gradually succumbing to the disease or how it ruins his family life. It is simply a man submitting to a temptation he can't let go of. For the most part the film is a twisted love story that revolves around self-destruction and the importance of dependency. Ben meets a prostitute named Sera (an Oscar-nominated Elisabeth Shue) who is just as wounded as he is, only she doesn't turn to drink because of it and forces herself to carry on. The two form a relationship that is genuine at its core, despite the fact that neither can change the other which is highlighted when Ben tells Sera that see can never ask him to stop drinking. This inability to change ultimately proves to be their downfall. Their relationship is equally chaotic and bittersweet. Drunken antics and frustration grow more apparent, but there is a clear love between them and in a way it is understandable why two broken people like this would be drawn together. Given how character driven the film is, Cage and Shue are the very centrepiece of the entire film. Cage has always been able to play characters on the edge, but he has a tendency to delve into the excessive a little too frequently. That never happens here. He is completely believable in every expression and motion. It's a wonderfully measured performance as his drunkenness never goes too silly and contemplations never get too dour. Shue is his equal in every way. She has always been an actress who has excelled at warmth and sincerity, and that really pays off here. She has such a strong expression of compassion whenever she is with Cage that it's very easy to forget that they are only acting. Julian Sands appears in the first half as Sera's pimp (unconvincing Latvian accent in all), but for the majority of the film it is simply Cage and Shue who take up our attention. It's a great credit to both actors that they are able to dominate a near two hour film with such ease. The Vegas they find themselves in is one of bright colours and seedy motels, perfectly suited to the horrid depths that Ben finds himself in. The score, composed by Figgis himself, is usually loud and very jazz-inspired, managing to fit the vivid images that are painted here. As the film progresses I think it does lose some focus. The set-up is executed to perfection and these characters fit together so well as their struggles increase. Everything about their conversations feels natural and expressive that the film struggles to keep this engaging aspect once the relationship begins to crumble. Ben begins to act even more rash because he is angered by Sera's occupation, but it is like he completely forgot their earlier agreement and that's all the more distasteful by the fact that any retreats that Sera makes are because she cares about him so much.As the film reaches its conclusion there is both sadness and hope present. One of them will never change, but there's a chance that the other will. In reflection, Leaving Las Vegas is not an easy film to watch because of how deep its willing to go into such an unpleasant area. Never the less, it is an important piece of cinema and one that resonates because it doesn't pull any punches. Cage and Shue are the true heroes. Both provide career best performances that are filled with sensitivity and pathos, as well as a chemistry that makes their actions all the more credible. Sure the films narrative wanes toward the end, but I truly believe that the power shown in these performances and the intelligence shown in consideration to the subject matter makes the film leave an undeniable impression.