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Leaving Las Vegas (1995) - (Movies To See Before You Die - Drama)

02 Feb, 2009 | Movies To See Before You Die / Drama

Very few films have been made on the topic of Alcoholism and on the pain in the life of prostitutes. This landmark movie merges both serious topics impressively and takes you onto a different journey all together. At one end you are made familiar with the psyche of alcoholic played by Nicholas Cage. He is now on to end his life drinking and his act of a drunkard is no doubt one of the best acts of this genre till date. You can feel the end of the road for him and he really looks drunk heavily actually in many scenes.

Then in Las Vegas he spends a night with a hooker played by Elisabeth Shue and she starts liking this helpless man. Here the other end of the movie starts where the emphasis is on the love of this women, which is non-demanding and expressive. The director then takes you to a different world of pain in her life. We are made to see the tough days she has to face in her profession. And the last 20 minutes of the film will make you speechless watching the scenes come & go.

The screenplay and its portrayal leave a hard hitting stunning impact on the viewer. The film is strictly for adults as it has some extremely bold scenes which can disturb. Both the lead actors deserved an Oscar for their performances, but only Nicholas Cage got it and Elisabeth got a nomination. I wish she should have got one too for her innocent & pure performance. You keep remembering her face as the end credits role. Simply one of the most powerful, emotional, well made and impressively acted movie on alcoholism and flesh trade. Highly recommended, only for mature audiences.

Directed By Mike Figgis
Starring : Nicholas Cage & Elisabeth Shue

Tags : Nicholas Cage, Elisabeth Shue, Leaving Las Vegas, Academy Award Winner, Oscar Award Winner, Movies to See Before You Die, Must See Movies List By Bobby Sing, Drama, Emotional Movie, Sensitive and Serious Cinema