Leaving Las Vegas

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2:49

Leaving Las Vegas

R

Released Oct 27, 1995

1h 51m

Drama

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Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

91%

Tomatometer

53 Reviews

85%

Popcornmeter

50,000+ Ratings

Adapted from the novel by John O'Brien, this acclaimed drama follows alcoholic screenwriter Ben Sanderson (Nicolas Cage) as he drinks himself into oblivion in Las Vegas. When Ben meets the beautiful prostitute Sera (Elisabeth Shue), they strike up an unconventional relationship -- one where she can't ask him to curb his drinking, and he can't fault her for her job. Though they offer each other support, Ben's self-destruction threatens to eclipse their bond.

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Critics Consensus

Oscar-awarded Nicolas Cage finds humanity in his character as it bleeds away in this no frills, exhilaratingly dark portrait of destruction.

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David Ansen

Newsweek

A love story like no other, Mike Figgis's Leaving Las Vegas is a bleak, mesmerizing rhapsody of self-destruction, defiantly uninterested in peddling Hollywood-style uplift.

Feb 23, 2018

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Candice Frederick

Reel Talk Online

This movie was like watching a car crash in slow motion. You knew there was going to be a crash, but I just wished it would just happen already, and not have spent two hours getting to the impact.

Rated: B+

Sep 12, 2017

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Owen Gleiberman

Entertainment Weekly

Dark and giddy at the same time, Leaving Las Vegas takes us into dreamy, intoxicated places no movie about an alcoholic has gone before.

Rated: A-

Sep 7, 2011

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Quentin Crisp

Christopher Street

It is the most boring film ever made -- worse than a documentary.

Apr 25, 2022

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Rene Rodriguez

Miami Herald

Leaving Las Vegas is a relentless downer -- look at it as a love story for anyone who found The Bridges of Madison County too precious -- but it's worth sticking through for its two lead performances.

Rated: 3/4

Aug 18, 2021

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Ben Kuchera

Polygon

The movie contains career-best performances from Nicolas Cage... and Elisabeth Shue.

Aug 4, 2020

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E B

It is a *heavy* film for sure with some... disturbing scenes involving Sera's character. (I recommend looking into that before watching for sensitive viewers) The acting alone makes this film worth watching as Cage and Shue did a fantastic job. Cage really showed just how far alcoholism can destroy oneself. It is this role alone that I think proves that Cage does know what he is doing and far deserved he awards for his capability. Despite the praise I give this film, I don't feel it will be one I will revisit anytime soon due to its graphic content, but I do think it is worth watching once.

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

04/22/25

Full Review

Ted B

4.0 stars; The primary purpose of film is to tell a story. When the story is as sad and depressing as this one, it takes excellent acting to take the audience down that spiral. That's exactly what we got with this movie. Nicolas Cage (Academy Award for Best Actor) and Elizabeth Shue were superb. Nicolas Cage has never come close to this performance since in my opinion.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

04/12/25

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thiago s

Filme mais ou menos, o roteiro é fraco, o filme tem cenas fracas, a história é mais ou menos, o elenco é bacana, mas quase ninguém ajuda a melhorar o filme, e os personagens são mais ou menos.

Rated 1 out of 5 stars

03/28/25

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Fer S

Great movie. It is kinda slow, but once you get hooked you don't care. It is depressing though.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

03/08/25

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dennis c

a great film Elisabeth over the top and Nicolas as well Will watch it again

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

03/08/25

Full Review

rick r

Very good acting. B U T i did not find this movie likeable. I would not watch this movie again.

Rated 0.5 out of 5 stars

02/19/25

Full Review

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Mike Figgis

Director

Nicolas Cage

Ben Sanderson

Elisabeth Shue

Sera

Julian Sands

Yuri

Richard Lewis

Peter

Valeria Golino

Terri

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Leaving Las Vegas: Trailer 1

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Synopsis

Adapted from the novel by John O'Brien, this acclaimed drama follows alcoholic screenwriter Ben Sanderson (Nicolas Cage) as he drinks himself into oblivion in Las Vegas. When Ben meets the beautiful prostitute Sera (Elisabeth Shue), they strike up an unconventional relationship -- one where she can't ask him to curb his drinking, and he can't fault her for her job. Though they offer each other support, Ben's self-destruction threatens to eclipse their bond.

Director: Mike Figgis
Producer: Annie Stewart, Lila Cazès
Screenwriter: John O'Brien, Mike Figgis
Distributor: United Artists, MGM/UA Home Entertainment Inc.
Production Co: Studio Canal, Initial Productions, Lumiere Productions
Rating: R
Genre: Drama
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Oct 27, 1995, Original
Release Date (Streaming): Jul 4, 2014
Box Office (Gross USA): $29.9M
Runtime: 1h 51m
Sound Mix: Surround

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