Leaving Las Vegas
Modern classic starring Oscar winner Nicolas Cage as a desperate alcoholic who leaves for Las Vegas to drink himself to death. Then he meets prostitute Sera (Elisabeth Shue).
Ben asks himself if he got into booze when his wife left him or if she left because of his excessive drinking. When his drinking problem leads to his dismissal, Ben decides to burn all ships behind him and finally destroy himself within a month. In Sera, he finds a like-minded hurting soul. A close bond develops between them, based on unconditional acceptance.
The semi-autobiographical debut novel by forgotten writer and incurable alcoholic John O'Brien formed the basis for the screenplay written by director Mike Figgis himself. With an intense atmosphere, melancholic jazz music and brilliant acting – for both Cage and Shue, this proved to be the most successful roles of their careers – Figgis paints a penetrating portrait of despair and the yearning for connection. (ms)