"This wrenchingly sad but extraordinarily moving drama provides an authentic, superbly acted portrait of two people whose lives intersect just as they've reached their lowest depths of despair. Ben is a former movie executive who's lost his wife and family in a sea of alcoholic self-destruction. He's come to Las Vegas literally to drink himself to death, and that's when he meets Sera, a prostitute who falls in love with him, and he with her, despite their mutual dead-end existence. They accept each other as they are, with no attempts by one to change the other, and this unconditional love turns Leaving Las Vegas into a somber yet quietly beautiful love story." - amazon.com
Couldn't have said it any better myself. This movie is not only depressing but it will leave you emotionally drained. Elisabeth Shue is fantastic drawing us in with her charm and vulnerability. But Nicolas Cage was the big winner come Oscar night as he takes home Best Actor for his portrayal of the strung out alcoholic Ben. His performance really was amazing. You can feel the pain and dispair through his eyes. He was so convincing that he made me feel drunk just watching him.
And if you like Nicolas Cage, another one you have to see is Matchstick Man.
Such a touching story about acceptance and unconditional love. Must see if you haven't watched it.
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