MovieChat Forums > Leaving Las Vegas (1996) Discussion > The movie was alright but

The movie was alright but

posted 12 years ago by southernman100
14 replies | jump to latest

6 things made it kind of bad

1) The soundtrack by Sting was really horrible. Just really terrible music.

2) The amateur intro. Like 15 minutes in we get an intro with cast members. I think they missed their opportunity LMAO.

3) The character who is killed basically has no role

4) There is just a lot of amateur looking scenes. Some scenes look like they were filmed by a D level cinematographer

5) The plot does not move at all from about 40 to 70 minutes. It just shows their relationship then finally at 70 we realize she minds his drunkenness so there is lots of filler.

6) Their relationship was not believable.

On the plus side Nicolas Cage was so excellent this movie was still very entertaining the girl was pretty good too for the most part though I was not exactly buying her relationship with him. In no way does a Pro or really anyone fall for such a loser. Nicolas Cage was not likeable enough in the movie that someone could possibly fall for him.

[–] andrj908 12 years ago

You make some weak points there. This is realist film making and a major, fast-paced plot isn't really integral to a movie like this, it's suppose to be like real life - no over dramatising, instead presenting a depiction of a relationship between two unconventional characters. Their relationship isn't suppose to progress at a rapid pace, but at a realistic place. How was there relationship not believable? The soundtrack suited the boozy feel of the film, and although it could of been better, it wasn't terrible. The movie ISN'T suppose to have the polished look of a film with $300 million budget - it was filmed on a super 16mm for a reason - read up about that filming technique. It's a style and a choice, not an accidental move by an "amateur" cinematographer. It is suppose to be gritty, shakey and grainy, because that is the subject matter. If it was flawless looking, it wouldn't match or absorb us within the story.

Leaving Las Vegas stands as one of the greatest films of the 1990s.

[–] southernman100 12 years ago

It was not believable since Cage's character was not likeable enough to win over the girl.

All Cage did was say he didn't want to have sex with her their first night together and suddenly she falls for him????

In other movies with a character like Cage they will be very charming at first then full into a hole. Cage's character could not have built a relationship during this time he was an auto-unlikeable mode and she had no reason to fall for him.

[–] rmiikku 12 years ago

What else could the girl had done? Find a nice man who works at the office?

[–] southernman100 12 years ago

Or perhaps not fallen in love?

The key is if you make Cage more likeable the relationship makes more sense.

[–] postmodern_ism 12 years ago

They were both extremely damaged. Damaged people attract other damaged people, and the fact that he didn't want to simply use her for sex or money (like every other man in her life) was probably very appealing to her.

[–] rmiikku 12 years ago

What else is there than fall in love?

What is there not to like in Cage, he is fun, accepting and broken down like she was.

[–] Druff 12 years ago

1) The soundtrack by Sting was really horrible. Just really terrible music.

Some of your points are debatable, but not that one. That's a flat fact.

[–] southernman100 12 years ago

lol thanks, well that was point 1 for a reason.

This could be a 5 times better movie with a good soundtrack

[–] CasaK 12 years ago

Am I the only one who really liked the soundtrack?

[–] desipor 12 years ago

CasaK

You're def not alone, these people are just morons.

[–] Diss 12 years ago

I don't care for that type of music very much, but it fits a movie about "Vegas". Especially old school Vegas. It's the appropriate soundtrack for the movie. And they were romantic songs, and this is a movie about a love story.

What would you guys have instead? Classical? No way? Metal/Rock? Again No. Rap/hip hop? Definitely no.

[–] tomkaren1994 12 years ago

1. The soundtrack was brilliant.
2. If you don't like the style of the movie, that's your problem.
3. Yuri had a huge role in showing how dangerous Sera's life was.
4. Again, style. Go get a cinematographer's degree and license and make your own film, then.
5. If you can't follow the film, again, YOUR problem.
6. You obviously have no insight into relationships at all. I've known numerous women who fell for significantly flawed guys. If they didn't, most of us would be alone.

To say about Elisabeth Shue's performance "the girl was pretty good too for the most part" just puts on display your utter ignorance of the genius she brought to the character. Shue's potrayal is one of the all-time great performances by a female in film EVER.

btw - you seem to know a lot about "Pros". Some history there?

[–] astridmoon 11 years ago

Why would she fall for him? She was living among awful people that considered her a thing they could use and throw away. Cage´s character seemed the first one who didn't hurt her and didn't want to use her. Under the light of how her life was, it's understandable that she could feel drawn to him.

[–] WhenGreyjoysCry 11 years ago

#1 - several others have had the same criticism. Probably valid. Gotta keep in mind the movie was made over 20 years ago. Sting was big back then, but has faded over the years. Had no way of knowing that would happen.

2) Disagree...the intro with Cage loading up the cart in the liquor store has been rated one of the best drunk scenes of all time and sets the tone for his character right from the start.

3) Could have done without Uri, but his inclusion didn't really hurt the movie either.

4) ???? Never heard that criticism before and I didn't think that. Should state your credentials (i.e. what makes you qualified to make this assessment) and specifically how it fell short in this area.

5)So what? It is more of a character driven movie than some formulaic plot driven movie.

6) Unusual things happen all the time. Why make a movie about something that is commonplace.

“There are no ordinary moments. There is always something going on.” – Peaceful Warrior