Leaving Las Vegas is a film that sees Nicolas Cage take on the role of an alcoholic Hollywood writer that just want to keep drinking knowing the inevitable outcome. It’s been out on Blu-ray in the UK since 2016 released by Studiocanal. The films pretty good but what of the bluray release? It’s time to answer that very question, so without further ado here’s my Leaving Las Vegas blu-ray review.
- Leaving Las Vegas (1995)
- Genre: Romantic, Drama
- Directed by Mike Figgis
- UK Rating 18
- Discs: 1
- Released By Studiocanal
- Blu-ray Released: 4 July 2016
Plot
Ben Sanderson (Nicolas Cage) is a Hollywood screenwriter whose life is falling apart around him, having lost both his family and job to his alcohol problems. He decides to end it all by drinking himself to death in Las Vegas. However things become somewhat more complicated when he hooks up with a prostitute named Sera (Elisabeth Shue). The two have an instant connection and fall into a rather unconventional relationship.
Style / Direction
The films directed by Mike Figgis whilst the cinematography is handled by Declan Quinn. Make no mistake Leaving Las Vegas is a very well made film that manages to do a great job in conveying alcoholism even if it’s from a rather unique perspective.
Music / Audio Effects
The music is composed by Anthony Marinelli & Mike Figgi. It’s a kind of moody sleazy saxophone affair the really suits the film’s visuals. There is however an issue with this on the Blu-ray, more on that later.
Acting / Characters
Nicolas Cage is on top form playing a man that simply wants to drink himself to death whilst at the same time falling in love with a Las Vegas prostitute named Sera played by Elisabeth Shue. She is simply looking for someone to love and hates the thought of being alone. All she really wants and needs is to come home and feel wanted and loved. The two form an unconventional loving relationship that is incredibly moving.
Cage and Shue really do turn in excellent performances and it’s because of this you feel fully invested in their lives whilst always knowing it can’t end well.
Cast
- Nicolas Cage as Ben Sanderson
- Elisabeth Shue as Sera
- Julian Sands as Yuri Butsov
- Richard Lewis as Peter
- Steven Weber as Marc Nussbaum
- Emily Procter as Debbie
- Valeria Golino as Terri
- Thomas Kopache as Mr. Simpson
- Laurie Metcalf as Landlady
Conclusion: Leaving Las Vegas (1995) Film Review
Leaving Las Vegas is a truly extraordinary film that tackles several different themes including alcoholism, prostitution and romance. This however is no Pretty Woman, this is much darker film with no happy ending in sight. Yet for all of this the film is full of humour and tenderness despite all of the sleaze of Las Vegas.
If this Nicolas Cage film has somehow passed you by I highly recommend taking a look at it.
If you enjoyed my Leaving Las Vegas blu-ray review so far you may want to check out the following films:
Conclusion: Leaving Las Vegas Blu-ray Review
First off the picture quality is not too bad although there are still a few tiny marks that flash up every once in a while. Personally I’d love to see this one be re-mastered. My next point is actually a pretty major one, the audio mix seems all wrong with the music drowning out much of the dialogue and therefore pretty much ruining the film.
Try as I might I couldn’t seem to remedy this issue and I’ve never experienced anything as bad from all of the many hundreds of Blu-rays I’ve watched prior to this. I like to think I have a pretty decent surround sound set-up and who knows maybe your system may prove to be more audible during those dialogue and music scenes but I believe this to be down to poor audio mixing.
That audio issue means I’d recommend waiting for a re-mastered version or stick to the DVD or TV/streaming options.
Extras
- Making Of
- Interviews with Nicolas Cage, Elisabeth Shue, Julian Sands & Mike Figgis
- B-Roll
Popcorn Cinema Rating: Leaving Las Vegas (1995)
MOVIE RATING: WELL WORTH WATCHING
BLU-RAY RATING: POOR
EXTRAS: OK
POPCORN CINEMA: NOT RECOMMENDED
- Movie Rating: WELL WORTH WATCHING
- Blu-ray Picture: GOOD
- Audio Quality: POOR
- Extras: OK
Purchase Leaving Las Vegas (1995) On Blu-ray
Leaving Las Vegas (1995) is available now on blu-ray.
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Leaving Las Vegas (1995) Trailer
For those of you yet to see the film I’ll leave you with a little taster…
Clip not be representative of the blu-ray version
That just about concludes my Leaving Las Vegas blu-ray review keep an eye for my next Nicolas Cage film review as I slowly work my way through all of his movie that are on blu-ray.
Leaving Las Vegas (1995) Blu-ray Review
Movie title: Leaving Las Vegas (1995)
Movie description: Drama about a Hollywood screenwriter whose life is falling apart
Duration: 111 mins
Director(s): Mike Figgis
Actor(s): Nicolas Cage, Elisabeth Shue
Genre: Romance, Drama
- Movie Rating
- Blu-ray Picture Rating
- Blu-ray Audio Rating
- Extras
Summary
Great film let down by poor audio on the Blu-ray release
Pros
- Nicolas Cage
- Elisabeth Shue
- Gripping Storyline
Cons
- Poor Audio Quality
- Picture Quality Could Be Better
