Any movie having as high-profile cast as this one is bound to generate interest. Being directed by Martin Scorcese is just the icing on the cake. However, if you're expecting a classic comparable to 'Raging Bull' and 'Taxi Driver' then you'll be slightly disappointed. The plot twists and turns its way through a myriad of sub-plots and the 'who's chasing who' story comes to a terrific head when both sides meet at the building where Martin Sheen comes to meet his informant. Jack Nicholson was superb, as always, playing the dirty scumbag role in which everyone loves to hate him. Matt Damon revel led in his shady and slimy role, Di Caprio gave another example of his growing stature as a decent actor while Baldwin, Wahlberg and Sheen all played their part reasonably well. The sudden downfall of Nicholson and the abrupt ending slightly damages the movie's credentials. However, the mole-chasing-mole story is excellently depicted and this movie is definitely recommended for all the Nicholson or Scorcese fans out there.
Reviews
2 Reviews
Leaving Las Vegas
(1995)
Highly Over-rated
15 November 2006
It's difficult to understand why this movie created so much hype. Admittedly, Cage's acting was stupendous - but if the movie was trying to send out a message, it failed miserably. It is never revealed what got him to his alcoholic state in the first place; like he says in one scene 'I don't remember if my wife left me coz I drink too much or I drink too much coz my wife left me'. The only solid point which was depressingly evident was how two people, due to their profession (one being a hooker) and personal habit (the other being an alcoholic), are treated as pariahs in the world and find solace in each other, despite not appreciating the choices made by the other. Full marks to Cage and Shue on how they portrayed their respective characters. However, lessons of compromise and compatibility can be put forward in better ways than this.
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