Editing Leaving Las Vegas (section)

==Release==

===Box office===
''Leaving Las Vegas'' had a [[Limited theatrical release|limited release]] on October 27, 1995.<ref name=":1" /> As it won awards from multiple film critics’ organizations and earned four [[68th Academy Awards|Academy Award]] nominations, the film's release was expanded and it ultimately opened nationwide on February 9, 1996.<ref name=":0" /><ref>{{Cite news |last=Weinraub |first=Bernard |date=1996-02-14 |title=Oscar Nominations Are Just One Surprise After Another |language=en-US |work=The New York Times |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1996/02/14/movies/oscar-nominations-are-just-one-surprise-after-another.html |access-date=2022-10-11 |issn=0362-4331}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Simon |first=Jeff |date=1996-02-18 |title=How Nicolas Cage Gambled on 'Vegas' -- and Came Up Big |work=The Buffalo News |url=https://buffalonews.com/news/how-nicolas-cage-gambled-on-vegas-—and-came-up-big/article_9fe58490-cc2d-5203-b630-a4e4bd70963b.html |url-status=live |access-date=2022-10-11 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20221011010052/https://buffalonews.com/news/how-nicolas-cage-gambled-on-vegas-%E2%80%94and-came-up-big/article_9fe58490-cc2d-5203-b630-a4e4bd70963b.html |archive-date=2022-10-11}}</ref> [[United Artists]] distributed the film in North America, while RCV Film Distribution and Atalanta Filmes handled the European release, and [[21st Century Film Corporation]] distributed the film in Australia. [[Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer|MGM/UA]] reportedly spent less than $2 million marketing the film, which included TV spots and ads in industry publications.<ref name=":1" />

The film was a success at the box office, particularly considering its budget, grossing $49.8 million.<ref name=NUM/>

===Critical reception===
On [[Rotten Tomatoes]], the film received an approval rating of 91% based on 53 reviews, with an average rating of 7.7/10. The website's critical consensus reads, "Oscar-awarded Nicolas Cage finds humanity in his character as it bleeds away in this no frills, exhilaratingly dark portrait of destruction."<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/leaving_las_vegas/ |title=''Leaving Las Vegas'' (1995) |access-date=January 17, 2023 |work=[[Rotten Tomatoes]]|publisher=[[Fandango Media]]}}</ref> It also holds a score of 82 out of 100 on [[Metacritic]], based on 23 critics, indicating "universal acclaim".<ref>The score from {{cite web |url=https://www.metacritic.com/movie/leaving-las-vegas |title=''Leaving Las Vegas'' Reviews |access-date=January 17, 2023 |work=[[Metacritic]]}}</ref>

[[Roger Ebert]] from ''[[Chicago Sun-Times]]'' and Rick Groen from ''[[The Globe and Mail]]'' gave the film high marks.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Groen |first=Rick |date=1995-10-27 |title=Film Review: Leaving Las Vegas |work=The Globe and Mail |url=http://www.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/ArticleNews/movie/TVCONNECT/00010101/100307/ |url-status=dead |access-date=2022-10-11 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20021007164451/http://www.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/ArticleNews/movie/TVCONNECT/00010101/100307/ |archive-date=2002-10-07}}</ref> Ebert wrote, "If there are two unplayable roles in the stock repertory, they are the drunk and the [[Hooker with a heart of gold|whore with a heart of gold]]. Cage and Shue make these cliches into unforgettable people."<ref>{{cite news |first=Roger |last=Ebert |date=November 10, 1995 |title=Leaving Las Vegas |work=[[RogerEbert.com]] |url=https://www.rogerebert.com/reviews/leaving-las-vegas-1995 |access-date=March 22, 2022}}</ref> Ebert named the film "best of 1995", and would eventually rank it as the eighth best film of the 1990s.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2000-02-26 |title=Ebert & Scorsese: Best Films of the 1990s |url=https://www.rogerebert.com/roger-ebert/ebert-and-scorsese-best-films-of-the-1990s |access-date=2022-10-11 |website=RogerEbert.com}}</ref>

Leonard Klady from ''[[Variety (magazine)|Variety]]'' wrote ''Leaving Las Vegas'' was "certainly among a scant handful of films that have taken an unflinching view of dependency."<ref>{{cite news |url=https://variety.com/1995/film/reviews/leaving-las-vegas-1200442853/ |title=Leaving Las Vegas |access-date=March 22, 2022 |first=Leonard |last=Klady |date=September 18, 1995 |work=Variety.com }}</ref>

Charles Switzer writing for ''[[Bright Lights Film Journal]]'' in 2025 said, "Even after three decades, ''Leaving Las Vegas'' remains a raw and powerful experience for its ability to portray heavy scenes that do not offer the viewer any reprieve or hope whatsoever. It stands as a testament to the power of indie filmmaking to provoke, challenge, and deeply move audiences through bold and unconventional artistry."<ref>{{Cite web |last=Switzer |first=Charles |date=March 11, 2025 |title=Leaving Las Vegas Turns 30: A Savior-Less Portrait of Liquor-Soaked Love and Despair Not for the Faint of Heart |url=https://brightlightsfilm.com/leaving-las-vegas-turns-30-a-savior-less-portrait-of-liquor-soaked-love-and-despair-not-for-the-faint-of-heart/ |url-status=live |access-date=March 29, 2025 |website=Bright Lights Film Journal}}</ref>

===Accolades===
{| class="wikitable"
|-
! Award
! Category
! Subject
! Result
!{{Abbreviation|Ref.|References}}
|-
| rowspan="3"| 20/20 Awards
| Best Actor
| [[Nicolas Cage]]
| {{won}}
| rowspan="2" |
|-
| Best Actress
| [[Elisabeth Shue]]
| {{nom}}
|-
| Best Adapted Screenplay
| rowspan="2"| [[Mike Figgis]]
| {{nom}}
| rowspan="5" |<ref>{{Cite web |title=1996 {{!}} Oscars.org {{!}} Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences |url=https://www.oscars.org/oscars/ceremonies/1996 |access-date=2023-08-20 |website=www.oscars.org |date=October 5, 2014 |language=en}}</ref>
|-
| rowspan="4"| [[68th Academy Awards|Academy Awards]]
| [[Academy Award for Best Director|Best Director]]
| {{nom}}
|-
| [[Academy Award for Best Actor|Best Actor]]
| Nicolas Cage
| {{won}}
|-
| [[Academy Award for Best Actress|Best Actress]]
| Elisabeth Shue
| {{nom}}
|-
| [[Academy Award for Best Adapted Screenplay|Best Screenplay – Based on Material Previously Produced or Published]]
| Mike Figgis
| {{nom}}
|-
| rowspan="5"| Awards Circuit Community Awards
| Best Motion Picture
| Lila Cazès and Annie Stewart
| {{nom}}
| rowspan="5" |
|-
| Best Director
| Mike Figgis
| {{nom}}
|-
| Best Actor in a Leading Role
| Nicolas Cage
| {{won}}
|-
| Best Actress in a Leading Role
| Elisabeth Shue
| {{won}}
|-
| Best Adapted Screenplay
| Mike Figgis
| {{nom}}
|-
| [[Boston Society of Film Critics Awards 1995|Boston Society of Film Critics Awards]]
| [[Boston Society of Film Critics Award for Best Actor|Best Actor]]
| rowspan="2"| Nicolas Cage
| {{won}}
|<ref>{{Cite web |title=Past Wins - 1995 |url=http://www.thebsfc.org/PastWin.html#d1995 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121011145714/http://www.thebsfc.org/PastWin.html#d1995 |archive-date=2012-10-11 |access-date=August 20, 2023 |website=Boston Society Film Critics}}</ref>
|-
| rowspan="3"| [[49th British Academy Film Awards|British Academy Film Awards]]
| [[BAFTA Award for Best Actor in a Leading Role|Best Actor in a Leading Role]]
| {{nom}}
| rowspan="3" |<ref>{{Cite web |title=Film in 1996 {{!}} BAFTA Awards |url=http://awards.bafta.org/award/1996/film/ |access-date=2023-08-20 |website=awards.bafta.org}}</ref>
|-
| [[BAFTA Award for Best Actress in a Leading Role|Best Actress in a Leading Role]]
| Elisabeth Shue
| {{nom}}
|-
| [[BAFTA Award for Best Adapted Screenplay|Best Adapted Screenplay]]
| rowspan="2"| Mike Figgis
| {{nom}}
|-
| rowspan="3"| [[Chicago Film Critics Association Awards 1995|Chicago Film Critics Association Awards]]
| [[Chicago Film Critics Association Award for Best Director|Best Director]]
| {{nom}}
| rowspan="3" |<ref>{{Cite web |date=2013-01-01 |title=1988-2013 Award Winner Archives |url=https://chicagofilmcritics.org/awards-blog/archives |access-date=2023-08-20 |website=Chicago Film Critics Association |language=en-US}}</ref>
|-
| [[Chicago Film Critics Association Award for Best Actor|Best Actor]]
| Nicolas Cage
| {{won}}
|-
| [[Chicago Film Critics Association Award for Best Actress|Best Actress]]
| Elisabeth Shue
| {{won}}
|-
| rowspan="2"| [[Chlotrudis Society for Independent Film|Chlotrudis Awards]]
| Best Actor
| Nicolas Cage
| {{nom}}
| rowspan="2" |<ref>{{Cite web |date=2023-06-01 |title=1996, 2nd Annual Awards |url=https://chlotrudis.org/awards/past-awards/1996-2nd-annual-awards/ |access-date=2023-08-20 |website=Chlotrudis Society |language=en-US}}</ref>
|-
| Best Actress
| Elisabeth Shue
| {{nom}}
|-
| [[1st Critics' Choice Awards|Critics' Choice Awards]]
| [[Critics' Choice Movie Award for Best Actor|Best Actor]]
| Nicolas Cage
| {{nom}}
|
|-
| rowspan="4"| [[Dallas–Fort Worth Film Critics Association Awards 1995|Dallas-Fort Worth Film Critics Association Awards]]
| colspan="2"| [[Dallas–Fort Worth Film Critics Association Award for Best Film|Best Picture]]
| {{won}}
| rowspan="4" |
|-
| [[Dallas–Fort Worth Film Critics Association Award for Best Director|Best Director]]
| Mike Figgis
| {{won}}
|-
| [[Dallas–Fort Worth Film Critics Association Award for Best Actor|Best Actor]]
| Nicolas Cage
| {{won}}
|-
| [[Dallas–Fort Worth Film Critics Association Award for Best Actress|Best Actress]]
| Elisabeth Shue
| {{won}}
|-
| [[48th Directors Guild of America Awards|Directors Guild of America Awards]]
| [[Directors Guild of America Award for Outstanding Directing – Feature Film|Outstanding Directorial Achievement in Motion Pictures]]
| Mike Figgis
| {{nom}}
|<ref>{{Cite web |title=Awards / History / 1995 |url=https://www.dga.org/Awards/History/1990s/1995.aspx?value=1995 |access-date=2023-08-20 |website=www.dga.org}}</ref>
|-
| rowspan="4"| [[53rd Golden Globe Awards|Golden Globe Awards]]
| colspan="2"| [[Golden Globe Award for Best Motion Picture – Drama|Best Motion Picture – Drama]]
| {{nom}}
| rowspan="4" |<ref>{{Cite web |title=Winners & Nominees 1996 |url=https://www.goldenglobes.com/winners-nominees/1996 |access-date=2023-08-20 |website=Golden Globes |language=en}}</ref>
|-
| [[Golden Globe Award for Best Actor – Motion Picture Drama|Best Actor in a Motion Picture – Drama]]
| Nicolas Cage
| {{won}}
|-
| [[Golden Globe Award for Best Actress in a Motion Picture – Drama|Best Actress in a Motion Picture – Drama]]
| Elisabeth Shue
| {{nom}}
|-
| [[Golden Globe Award for Best Director|Best Director – Motion Picture]]
| Mike Figgis
| {{nom}}
|-
| rowspan="6"| [[11th Independent Spirit Awards|Independent Spirit Awards]]
| colspan="2"| [[Independent Spirit Award for Best Film|Best Film]]
| {{won}}
| rowspan="6" |<ref>{{Cite web |last=Dutka |first=Elaine |date=1996-03-25 |title='Leaving Las Vegas' Arrives in Big Way at Spirit Awards |url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1996-03-25-ca-50950-story.html |access-date=2023-08-20 |website=Los Angeles Times |language=en-US}}</ref>
|-
| [[Independent Spirit Award for Best Director|Best Director]]
| Mike Figgis
| {{won}}
|-
| [[Independent Spirit Award for Best Male Lead|Best Male Lead]]
| Nicolas Cage
| {{nom}}
|-
| [[Independent Spirit Award for Best Female Lead|Best Female Lead]]
| Elisabeth Shue
| {{won}}
|-
| [[Independent Spirit Award for Best Screenplay|Best Screenplay]]
| Mike Figgis
| {{nom}}
|-
| [[Independent Spirit Award for Best Cinematography|Best Cinematography]]
| [[Declan Quinn]]
| {{won}}
|-
| [[Jupiter Award (film award)#19th Jupiter Award / 1997|Jupiter Awards]]
| Best International Actor
| Nicolas Cage {{efn|Also for ''[[The Rock (film)|The Rock]].''}}
| {{won}}
|
|-
| rowspan="5"| [[1995 Los Angeles Film Critics Association Awards|Los Angeles Film Critics Association Awards]]
| colspan="2"| [[Los Angeles Film Critics Association Award for Best Film|Best Film]]
| {{won}}
| rowspan="5" |<ref>{{Cite web |last=King |first=Susan |date=1995-12-17 |title='Las Vegas' Glitters for L.A. Film Critics |url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1995-12-17-me-15039-story.html |access-date=2023-08-20 |website=Los Angeles Times |language=en-US}}</ref>
|-
| [[Los Angeles Film Critics Association Award for Best Director|Best Director]]
| Mike Figgis
| {{won}}
|-
| [[Los Angeles Film Critics Association Award for Best Actor|Best Actor]]
| Nicolas Cage
| {{won}}
|-
| [[Los Angeles Film Critics Association Award for Best Actress|Best Actress]]
| Elisabeth Shue
| {{won}}
|-
| [[Los Angeles Film Critics Association Award for Best Screenplay|Best Screenplay]]
| Mike Figgis
| {{Runner-up}}
|-
| rowspan="2"| [[National Board of Review Awards 1995|National Board of Review Awards]]
| colspan="2"| [[National Board of Review: Top Ten Films|Top Ten Films]]
| {{draw|4th Place}}
| rowspan="2" |<ref>{{Cite web |title=1995 Archives |url=https://nationalboardofreview.org/award-years/1995/ |access-date=2023-08-20 |website=National Board of Review |language=en-US}}</ref>
|-
| [[National Board of Review Award for Best Actor|Best Actor]]
| Nicolas Cage
| {{won}}
|-
| rowspan="3"| [[1995 National Society of Film Critics Awards|National Society of Film Critics Awards]]
| [[National Society of Film Critics Award for Best Director|Best Director]]
| Mike Figgis
| {{won}}
| rowspan="3" |<ref>{{Cite news |date=1996-01-04 |title=Babe' Is Chosen as Best Film By National Society of Critics |language=en |work=The New York Times |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1996/01/04/movies/babe-is-chosen-as-best-film-by-national-society-of-critics.html |access-date=2023-08-20}}</ref>
|-
| [[National Society of Film Critics Award for Best Actor|Best Actor]]
| Nicolas Cage
| {{won}}
|-
| [[National Society of Film Critics Award for Best Actress|Best Actress]]
| Elisabeth Shue
| {{won}}
|-
| rowspan="4"| [[1995 New York Film Critics Circle Awards|New York Film Critics Circle Awards]]
| colspan="2"| [[New York Film Critics Circle Award for Best Film|Best Film]]
| {{won}}
| rowspan="4" |<ref>{{Cite news |date=1995-12-15 |title=Leaving Las Vegas' Is Voted Best Film by Critics Circle |language=en |work=The New York Times |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1995/12/15/movies/leaving-las-vegas-is-voted-best-film-by-critics-circle.html |access-date=2023-08-20}}</ref>
|-
| [[New York Film Critics Circle Award for Best Director|Best Director]]
| Mike Figgis
| {{draw|2nd Place}}
|-
| [[New York Film Critics Circle Award for Best Actor|Best Actor]]
| Nicolas Cage
| {{won}}
|-
| [[New York Film Critics Circle Award for Best Actress|Best Actress]]
| Elisabeth Shue
| {{draw|2nd Place}}
|-
| rowspan="3"| [[San Sebastián International Film Festival]]
| [[Golden Shell]]
| rowspan="2"| Mike Figgis
| {{nom}}
| rowspan="3" |<ref>{{Cite web |title=San Sebastian Film Festival 1995 Awards |url=https://www.sansebastianfestival.com:443/1995/awards_and_jury_members/awards/1/90/in |access-date=2023-08-20 |website=San Sebastian Festival |language=en}}</ref>
|-
| [[Silver Shell for Best Director|Best Director]]
| {{won}}
|-
| [[Silver Shell for Best Actor|Best Actor]]
| rowspan="3"| Nicolas Cage
| {{won}}
|-
| [[Sant Jordi Awards]]
| Best Foreign Actor
| {{nom}}
|
|-
| rowspan="2"| [[2nd Screen Actors Guild Awards|Screen Actors Guild Awards]]
| [[Screen Actors Guild Award for Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Leading Role|Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Leading Role]]
| {{won}}
| rowspan="2" |<ref>{{Cite web |title=The 2nd Annual Screen Actors Guild Awards |url=https://www.sagawards.org/awards/nominees-and-recipients/2nd-annual-screen-actors-guild-awards |access-date=2023-08-20 |website=www.sagawards.org}}</ref>
|-
| [[Screen Actors Guild Award for Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Leading Role|Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Leading Role]]
| Elisabeth Shue
| {{nom}}
|-
| [[Society of Texas Film Critics Awards 1995|Society of Texas Film Critics Awards]]
| Best Actor
| Nicolas Cage
| {{won}}
|<ref>{{Cite web |last=Taggart |first=Patrick |date=1996-01-12 |title=Film Sense and Sensibilities |url=https://www.austinchronicle.com/screens/1996-01-12/530371/ |access-date=2023-08-20 |website=www.austinchronicle.com |language=en-US}}</ref>
|-
| [[Turkish Film Critics Association|Turkish Film Critics Association Awards]]
| colspan="2"| Best Foreign Film
| {{draw|10th Place}}
|
|-
| [[48th Writers Guild of America Awards|Writers Guild of America Awards]]
| [[Writers Guild of America Award for Best Adapted Screenplay|Best Screenplay – Based on Material Previously Produced or Published]]
| Mike Figgis
| {{nom}}
|<ref>{{Cite web |last=Dutka |first=Elaine |date=1996-02-09 |title=Writers Guild Nominees Now Wearing the Smiles |url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1996-02-09-ca-33890-story.html |access-date=2023-08-20 |website=Los Angeles Times |language=en-US}}</ref>
|}