Leaving Las Vegas (1995)

Director:

Mike Figgis

Writers:

John O'Brien (novel)
Mike Figgis (screenplay)

Release Date:

27 October 1995 (USA)

Genre:

Drama | Romance

Plot:

Ben Sanderson, an alcoholic Hollywood screenwriter who lost everything because of his drinking, arrives in Las Vegas to drink himself to death. There, he meets and forms an uneasy friendship and non-interference pact with prostitute Sera.

Plot Keywords:

Prostitute | Death | Fired | Sex | Alcoholic

Awards:

Won Oscar. Another 25 wins & 17 nominations

Cast

Nicolas Cage	...	Ben Sanderson
Elisabeth Shue	...	Sera
Julian Sands	...	Yuri
Richard Lewis	...	Peter
Steven Weber	...	Marc Nussbaum
Kim Adams	...	Sheila
Emily Procter	...	Debbie
Stuart Regen	...	Man at Bar
Valeria Golino	...	Terri
Graham Beckel	...	L.A. Bartender
Albert Henderson	...	Man at Strip Bar (as Al Henderson)
Shashi Bhatia	...	Hispanic Prostitute
Carey Lowell	...	Bank Teller
Anne Lange	...	Business Colleague
Thomas Kopache	...	Mr. Simpson
Vincent Ward	...	Businessman #1
Lucinda Jenney	...	Weird Woman
French Stewart	...	Businessman #2
Ed Lauter	...	Mobster #3
Waldemar Kalinowski	...	Mobster #2
Mike Figgis	...	Mobster #1
David Kriegel	...	Hotel Manager
Bill Thompson	...	Midwestern Man at Poolside
Marek Stabrowski	...	Pawn Shop Owner
R. Lee Ermey	...	Conventioneer
Mariska Hargitay	...	Hooker at Bar
Danny Huston	...	Bartender #2
Laurie Metcalf	...	Landlady
David Brisbin	...	Landlord
Shawnee Smith	...	Biker Girl
Paul Quinn	...	Biker Guy
Julian Lennon	...	Bartender #3 in Biker Bar
Tracy Thorne	...	Waitress at Mall
Bob Rafelson	...	Man at Mall
Susan Barnes	...	Desk Clerk
Marc Coppola	...	Dealer
Michael A. Goorjian	...	College Boy #1 (as Michael Goorjian)
Jeremy Jordan	...	College Boy #2
Davidlee Willson	...	College Boy #3
Xander Berkeley	...	Cynical Cabbie
Sergio Premoli	...	Stetson Man at Casino
Gordon Michaels	...	Security Guard
Lou Rawls	...	Concerned Cabbie
rest of cast listed alphabetically:
Camille King	...	Bank Manager (uncredited)
Walt G. Ludwig	...	Slot Player (uncredited)

Directed by
Mike Figgis

Writing credits
John O'Brien		(novel)
Mike Figgis		(screenplay)

Produced by
Lila Cazès	....	producer
Marc S. Fischer	....	line producer
Stuart Regen	....	executive producer
Paige Simpson	....	executive producer
Annie Stewart	....	producer

Original Music by
Mike Figgis

Cinematography by
Declan Quinn

Film Editing by
John Smith

Casting by
Carrie Frazier

Production Design by
Waldemar Kalinowski

Art Direction by
Barry Kingston		(as Barry M. Kingston)

Set Decoration by
Florence Fellman

Costume Design by
Laura Goldsmith

Makeup Department
Kathryn Bihr	....	key makeup artist (as Katy Bihr)
Beatrice De Alba	....	key hair stylist (as Beatrice DeAlba)
Linda Hardy	....	hair stylist
Linda Hardy	....	makeup artist

Production Management
Marc S. Fischer	....	unit production manager
Robin Le Chanu	....	production supervisor (as Robin L. Green)
Michael Saxton	....	post-production supervisor

Second Unit Director or Assistant Director
Simone Farber	....	second assistant director
Gary Marcus	....	first assistant director
Joel Chernoff	....	second unit director (uncredited)

Art Department
Amy H. Abrams	....	on-set dresser
Russell R. Anderson	....	lead man (as Russ Anderson)
Michael R. Blaich	....	lead scenic artist (as Michael Blaich)
Florencio Gelabert	....	artwork
Bob Hawk	....	carpenter
Jason Hedley	....	swing gang (as Jason John Hadley)
Ghislain Mandon	....	swing gang
Anmari Ollsson	....	paintings in Sera's apartment
Charles Page	....	construction foreman
Steve Pfauter	....	swing gang (as Stephen Pfauter)
Charles Phillips	....	construction coordinator (as Chuck Phillips)
Seth Phillips	....	construction grip
Rodrido Pimentel	....	artwork
Gustavo Ramos Rivera	....	artwork
James Scott	....	paintings: L.A. bank
Zeev Tankus	....	property master
Rebecca Young	....	art department coordinator
Anne Mari Ziecker	....	assistant property master

Sound Department
Andie Derrick	....	foley artist
Henry Dobson	....	dubbing mixer
James Feltham	....	assistant sound editor
Nigel Heath	....	supervising sound editor
Rod Howick	....	foley editor
Mathew Knights	....	dialogue editor
Danny Sheehan	....	assistant dubbing mixer
Julian Slater	....	sound effects editor
Jason Swanscott	....	foley artist
Pawel Wdowczak	....	sound mixer
Paul Coogan	....	boom operator (uncredited)
Clifford 'Kip' Gynn	....	sound mixer: video (uncredited)
John Hays	....	boom operator (uncredited)

Special Effects by
William D. Harrison	....	special effects supervisor: Special Effects Unlimited, Inc. (as William Harrison)
Al Marangoni	....	special effects: Special Effects Unlimited, Inc. (as Albert Marangoni)
Matthew Pope	....	special effects: Special Effects Unlimited, Inc.

Visual Effects by
Aviv Yaron	....	data operator: Cinesite (uncredited)

Stunts
Bruce Paul Barbour	....	stunts (as Bruce Barbour)
Dick Hancock	....	stunts
Jeff Smolek	....	stunts
Diane Towery	....	stunts
Russell Towery	....	stunt coordinator

Camera and Electrical Department
Paul Birk	....	best boy electric (as Paul R. Birk)
Bonnie S. Blake	....	first assistant camera: "b" camera (as Bonnie Blake)
Richard Boyle	....	best boy grip (as Rick Boyle)
James Davis	....	electrician
Christian E. Dirkes	....	dolly grip
Bernadette 'B.C.' Echohawk	....	camera loader (as Bernadette Echo Hawk)
Flint Ellsworth	....	electrician
Suzanne Hanover	....	still photographer
Todd Heater	....	electrician
Steve Irwin	....	video playback operator
Toby Irwin	....	gaffer
Sean McKelvey	....	electrician (as Sean Mark McKelvey)
John Joseph Minardi	....	grip
Marie Pederson	....	camera operator
Stephen Pizzo	....	first assistant camera
Kevin Smyth	....	key grip
T.J. Tollefson	....	grip
Dylan Rush	....	grip (uncredited)

Casting Department
Stacey Rosen	....	casting associate
Chris Gray	....	extras casting (uncredited)
Terrence Harris	....	casting associate (uncredited)

Costume and Wardrobe Department
Vickie Brinkford	....	set costumer (as Vickie Brinkkord)
Jean Davis	....	assistant costumer
Leesa Evans	....	costume supervisor
Vivienne Westwood	....	wardrobe: Ms. Shue

Editorial Department
Colin Coull	....	color timer
Jinx Godfrey	....	assembly editor
Paul Knight	....	assistant editor
Dana Padgett	....	post-production coordinator
Annette Williams	....	assistant editor

Music Department
Tony Coe	....	musician: tenor saxophone and clarinet
Ed Deane	....	musician: electric guitar
Gemma Dempsey	....	music supervisor
Mike Figgis	....	musician: trumpet and keyboards
Isobel Griffiths	....	musician's contractor
Dave Hartley	....	musician: piano
Austin Ince	....	original score engineer
Christopher Laurence	....	musician: double bass (as Chris Laurence)
Ian Thomas	....	musician: drums
Ray Warleigh	....	musician: alto saxophone
Anthony Marinelli	....	musician (uncredited)
Anthony Marinelli	....	orchestrator (uncredited)

Transportation Department
Jennifer A. Blum	....	driver (as Jennifer Blum)
Steve Earle	....	driver
Don Feeney	....	driver
Scotty Goudreau	....	driver (as Scott Goudreau)
Brian Kahn	....	driver: insert car
Kathy L. MacMillan	....	driver
Seth Phillips	....	driver: construction department
Derek Raser	....	transportation coordinator
Todd Rowland	....	driver: Mr. Cage
J.T. Thayer	....	transportation captain
Earl Thielen	....	driver
Tracy Thielen	....	driver
Mark Willis	....	driver
Paul Burlin	....	driver (uncredited)

Other crew
Kevin Beard	....	set production assistant (as T. Kevin Beard)
Valerie Burnley	....	craft service: Laughlin/Las Vegas
James Capp	....	assistant production coordinator (as James A. Capp)
Richard Davenport	....	documentary team: "The Making of"
Peter Evangelatos	....	craft service
Eddie Fickett	....	set production assistant (as Eddie Ficket)
David Haldiman	....	location manager
George T. Hayum	....	legal services: Armstrong Hirsch Jackoway Tyerman & Werthheimer
Janee Hull	....	script supervisor (as Janee Hull-Page)
Marco Kyris	....	stand-in: Mr. Cage
Martee La Comette	....	stand-in: Ms. Shue
Jeff Levine	....	assistant: Mr. Cage
Mark Anthony Little	....	set production assistant
Harvey Malkin	....	production accountant (as Harve K. Malkin)
Carl Mastromarino	....	assistant production accountant
Adam Moos	....	completion bond: Film Finances
Mark Morgan	....	clearance
Leonard Morpurgo	....	unit publicist
Ty Pennington	....	set production assistant
Shannon E. Reilly	....	office production assistant
L.M. Soble	....	assistant: Mr. Cage
Geoff Teagardin	....	set production assistant (as Geoffrey Teagardin)
Romany Turner	....	documentary team: "The Making of"
Romany Turner	....	set production assistant
Craig W. van Gundy	....	assistant location manager
Jill Naumann	....	location scout (uncredited)
Silenn Thomas	....	intern (uncredited)

Thanks
Claudia Buchanan	....	special thanks
Brigid Buckman	....	special thanks
Miles A. Copeland III	....	special thanks (as Miles Copeland)
Elaine Davis	....	special thanks
Tony Dingman	....	special thanks
Arlen Figgis	....	special thanks
Lois Kay	....	special thanks
Anthony Marinelli	....	special thanks
Simon Osborne	....	special thanks
Randolph Pitts	....	special thanks
Holly Simpson	....	special thanks
Cecilia Skjorten	....	special thanks
Sting	....	special thanks

Production Companies

• Initial Productions
• Lumière Pictures

Distributors

• Atlantis Entertainment (1997) (Czechoslovakia) (theatrical)
• Prooptiki (1996) (Greece) (theatrical)
• Alta Films (Spain)
• Argentina Video Home (Argentina) (video)
• Atalanta Filmes (Portugal)
• MGM Home Entertainment (2007) (USA) (DVD)
• MGM/UA Home Entertainment (USA) (DVD)
• MGM/UA Home Entertainment (USA) (VHS)
• Pioneer LDC (2001) (Japan) (DVD)
• Prooptiki Video (1996) (Greece) (VHS)
• RCV Film Distribution (Belgium)
• RCV Film Distribution (Luxembourg)
• RCV Film Distribution (Netherlands)
• United Artists (USA)
• Universal Pictures Benelux (2007) (Netherlands) (DVD) (HD-DVD)
• Universal Pictures (2007) (Italy) (DVD)

Special Effects

• Special Effects Unlimited (special effects)

Other Companies

• Arrangment, The  catering
• Axium Payroll Services  payroll services
• Bill Dance Casting  extras casting
• Cine Image Film Opticals  titles and opticals
• Coca-Cola Company, The  special thanks
• Film Finances  completion bond
• Magmasters Sound Studios  sound recorded at
• Sapex Scripts  post-production script services
• Tru-Cut  negative cutting

Also Known As:

Leaving Las Vegas (France)
Adiós a Las Vegas (Argentina) [es]
Adieu Las Vegas (Canada: French title) [fr]
Adjø Las Vegas (Norway) [no]
Afinontas to Las Vegas (Greece) [el]
Despedida em Las Vegas (Brazil) [pt]
Elveda Las Vegas (Turkey: Turkish title) [tr]
Farväl Las Vegas (Sweden) [sv]
Las Vegas, végállomás (Hungary) [hu]
Leaving Las Vegas (Denmark) [da]
Leaving Las Vegas (Spain) [es]
Liebe bis in den Tod (Germany) [de]
Morrer em Las Vegas (Portugal) [pt]
Via da Las Vegas (Italy) [it]
Zbogom Las Vegas (Slovenia) [sl]
Zostawic Las Vegas (Poland) [pl]

MPAA:

Rated R for strong sexuality and language, violence and pervasive alcohol abuse.

Runtime:

111 min

Country:

France | USA | UK

Language:

English | Russian

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Sound Mix:

Dolby

Certification:

Iceland:16 | USA:R (certificate #33977) | Philippines:R-18 | Brazil:16 | New Zealand:R18 | Argentina:16 | Australia:R | Chile:18 | Denmark:16 | Finland:K-16 | France:-12 | Germany:16 | Hong Kong:IIB | Mexico:C | Netherlands:16 | Norway:15 | Peru:18 | Portugal:M/18 | Singapore:R21 | South Korea:18 | Spain:18 | Sweden:15 | UK:18

Filming Locations:

Bally's Casino Resort - 3645 Las Vegas Boulevard South, Las Vegas, Nevada, USA

Company:

Initial Productions

Trivia:

Director Cameo: [Mike Figgis]The gangster staring down Ben at the gas station outside of Las Vegas.

Goofs:

Factual errors: Yuri is supposed to be swearing in Latvian on the phone. In fact, he speaks gibberish.

Quotes:

Ben Sanderson: [to Sera as he is dying] See how hard you make me, angel?

Movie Connections:

References Apocalypse Now (1979)

Soundtrack:

Come Rain Or Come Shine

Viva Greek Tragedies

Not unlike John Huston's Under The Volcano, Leaving Las Vegas borrows from Greek mythology, obliquely mirroring the tragedy and pathos of Orpheus' failed attempt to rescue his dead wife, Eurydice, from Hades. Mike Figgis obliges us with a helpful hint in the scene where Nicolas Cage gives Elizabeth Shue a present of earrings: Greek cameos.

As in the ancient tale, love challenges the inevitability of death, although, in the case of LLV, roles are upended and sometimes blurred, and Orphean references are either thinly disguised, or non-specific to the point of being thoroughly sublimated. Academic, to be sure, but completely acceptable as long as LLV can sustain itself and remain engaging. And it surely does, thanks to Figgis' intelligent script and direction, Cage's role as a down-and-out writer and his protracted self-destruction, and Shue's portrayal of a lonely hooker, lifting that old bromide beyond what could have been routine, to a level not seen since Jane Fonda's character in Klute. Excellent performances all around.

With all that said, this film is not for everyone (in particular those who only respond to gratuitous sex, car chases, and mindless pyrotechnics). The lurid depictions of despair, self-loathing, and violence could put off even the most hardened social worker. In my mind's eye, I could see psychiatrists amongst the theater audiences, furiously jotting down their observations. Understandable; the two principal characters are, in the common parlance, screwed up. One cannot cope with failure, so decides to opt out, while the other does cope, but only barely, existing along the ragged edges of what passes for society in Nevada Hell. These details, though, tend to outline and, indeed, strengthen the true heart of this film: Sacrifice and Unconditional Love.

If this film is not for everyone, then who is it for? Those with real life experience and the maturity gained thereby. Those with strong emotional constitutions. Anyone appreciative of impassioned performances. Freudians. Alcoholics, recovering and otherwise. Pimps. Priests. Classicists. Petty whiners in need of perspective. And, more than anyone else, couples who plan on breaking up. In sickness and in health, 'til death do us part. 9.5 out of 10.