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.

dissident320 This movie is not a fun watch. It's not about a guy that loses it all and starts to drink. He's already lost it and is a semi-functional alcoholic.Some really fantastic performances from Nic Cage and Elizabeth Shue here. It will probably stand as their most dramatic roles since they both have gone on to do a lot less heavy material. I had seen Cage turn in some decent performances here and there but I was really impressed with Elizabeth Shue. When the focus swings around to her I wasn't sure if the movie would fumble but she brings so tragedy and sadness to Sera I was both riveted and wanted to look away.It's tough to recommend but it is undeniably powerful and moving. See it for the performances and watch something fun after. You'll deserve it.

please_stand_by I'll start by saying this isn't a pleasant film to watch; however, it's a powerful one. It is executed methodically, through an unapologetic, uncompromising lens, examining the self-destructiveness of human beings in agonizing circumstances, with the caveat that even in utter anguish you can find some degree of comfort through the mutual support of another.The main character, played by Nicolas Cage, has given up on life. He is deeply dependent on alcohol to numb the pain of a life-altering tragedy involving his past family, though the details remain unspecified. He meets Sera, a disillusioned prostitute, after giving up and moving to Las Vegas to die. They quickly become reliant on one another for support in their otherwise profoundly lonely, profoundly miserable lives. But it quickly becomes established that their paths are set; they will not change.The film's greatest strength comes from the uncompromising nature of its exploration of difficult themes such as caring for someone in the face of unending despair and inevitable death. The story itself is fairly minimalist, making its thought-provoking points brilliantly without diluting them with anything artificial or sappy. The whole thing feels honest and genuine in its execution. The way the characters are portrayed by the two lead actors is also excellent, particularly Elizabeth Shue. Nicolas Cage's performance rides the line of overacting in a few places, but it works given the extremeness of the character.At a few points, the film does feel like it meanders from its strengths. This is most notable in a few scenes when the main characters are not together. Whenever they are together, the film shines. I also found some of the music for the film (which was, in part, composed by the director) to be distracting or out of place, particularly in the first half. The film is also so raw in its depictions of human despair and misery that it is a hard one to really derive true enjoyment from. It's not a film I anticipate wanting to watch again any time soon.Even while much of the film is unpleasant and difficult to digest, it is nonetheless a very strong, well-made film with a conclusion of a subtly uplifting nature. One person can make a difference in another person's life, even if it is at the very end.

FilmBuff1994 Leaving Las Vegas is a decent movie with a reasonably well developed storyline and a stellar cast. The highlight is without a doubt Nicolas Cage and Elisabeth Shue, Cage delivering his usual over the top acting that suits him perfectly and Shue portrays a troubled woman with pure realism, the chemistry between the two of them is top notch. However, I found the plot very thin, I understood that it was heavily revolved around these two character's relationship, but it never made enough effort to keep an actual story moving forward, any scene that was merely felt forced, like the director was really not interested. My biggest issue is that the two main characters are unlikeable, we are meant to support them without being given a reason to, Ben is a man who threw his career down the drain with alcoholism, while Sera is a prostitute who regrets the decisions she has made, I could not sympathise with them, their suffering was common sense, not a reason for me to feel supportive for these leads. It will appeal to many people and I understand how, but Leaving Las Vegas did not pull me in as I would have hoped, I would not recommend it. An alcoholic befriends a down on her luck woman after moving to Las Vegas. Best Performance: Elisabeth Shue