Editing Leaving Las Vegas

{{Short description|1995 film by Mike Figgis}}
{{Use American English|date=January 2025}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=April 2019}}
{{Other uses}}
{{Infobox film
| name           = Leaving Las Vegas
| image          = Leaving las vegas ver1.jpg
| caption        = Theatrical release poster
| director       = [[Mike Figgis]]
| screenplay     = Mike Figgis
| based_on       = {{Based on|''[[Leaving Las Vegas (novel)|Leaving Las Vegas]]''|[[John O'Brien (novelist)|John O'Brien]]}}
| producer       = {{ubl|Lila Cazès|Annie Stewart}}
| starring       = {{Plainlist|
* [[Nicolas Cage]]
* [[Elisabeth Shue]]
* [[Julian Sands]]
}}
| cinematography = [[Declan Quinn]] 
| editing        = John Smith
| music          = {{ubl|[[Anthony Marinelli]]|Mike Figgis<ref name = "LEAVING LAS VEGAS">{{Cite LOC finding aid|url = https://www.loc.gov/item/jots.200017129/|title = ''LEAVING LAS VEGAS''|date = 1995|access-date = May 12, 2015}}</ref>}}
| studio         = {{Plainlist|
* [[United Artists]]
* [[Lumiere Pictures and Television|Lumiére Pictures]]
}}
| distributor    = {{Plainlist|
* [[MGM/UA Distribution Co.]] (United States)
* AFMD (France)
* [[Entertainment Film Distributors]] (United Kingdom and Ireland)<ref>{{cite web|title=Leaving Las Vegas (1995)|website=[[BBFC]]|access-date=18 March 2024|url=https://www.bbfc.co.uk/release/leaving-las-vegas-q29sbgvjdglvbjpwwc0zndaymti}}</ref>
}}
| released       = {{Film date|1995|9|15|[[1995 Toronto International Film Festival|TIFF]]|1995|10|27|United States|1996|1|19|United Kingdom|1996|3|20|France}}
| runtime        = 111 minutes
| country        = {{Plainlist|
* United States
* France<ref name="LEAVING LAS VEGAS"/>
* United Kingdom<ref name="LEAVING LAS VEGAS"/>
}}
| language       = English
| budget         = $3.5–4 million<ref name=NUM>{{cite web | url=https://www.the-numbers.com/movie/Leaving-Las-Vegas#tab=summary| title=''Leaving Las Vegas'' (1995) - Financial Information | work=[[The Numbers (website)|The Numbers]] | access-date=August 24, 2014}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-news/oscars-contenders-challenges-rewards-making-2021-indies-1235085439/|title=Oscars: Six Contenders on the Challenges and Rewards of Making 2021 Indies|date=February 1, 2022|first=Scott|last=Feinberg|website=[[The Hollywood Reporter]]|access-date=February 2, 2022}}</ref>
| gross          = $49.8 million<ref name=NUM/>
}}

'''''Leaving Las Vegas''''' is a 1995 [[romantic drama film]] written and directed by [[Mike Figgis]] and based on the [[Leaving Las Vegas (novel)|1990 semi-autobiographical novel]] by [[John O'Brien (novelist)|John O'Brien]]. [[Nicolas Cage]] stars as a suicidal alcoholic in [[Los Angeles]] who, having lost his family and been recently fired, has decided to move to [[Las Vegas]] and drink himself to death. He loads a supply of liquor and beer into his [[BMW]] and gets drunk as he drives from Los Angeles to Las Vegas. Once there, he develops a romantic relationship with a prostitute played by [[Elisabeth Shue]] and the film shifts to include her narrative perspective. O'Brien died by suicide after signing away the film rights to the novel.<ref>{{cite magazine|last1=Pirina|first1=Garin|title=Leaving Las Vegas and the Writer Who Didn't Live to See It|url=https://www.esquire.com/entertainment/movies/a39208/leaving-las-vegas-25th-anniversary-john-o-brien/|access-date=May 1, 2018|magazine=Esquire|date=October 28, 2015}}</ref>
<!-- A halt was considered, but work continued as a tribute. {{citation needed|date=November 2012}} -->

''Leaving Las Vegas'' was filmed in [[super 16 mm]]<ref name="Cage interview">{{cite news |last=Ebert |first=Roger |author-link=Roger Ebert |date=1995-11-05 |title=Cage relishes operatic role in tragic 'Leaving Las Vegas' |work=Chicago Sun-Times |url=https://www.rogerebert.com/interviews/cage-relishes-operatic-role-in-tragic-leaving-las-vegas |access-date=December 9, 2006}}</ref> instead of [[35mm movie film|35 mm film]]; while 16&nbsp;mm was common for [[Art film|art house]] films at the time, 35&nbsp;mm is most commonly used for mainstream film. After limited release in the United States on October 27, 1995, ''Leaving Las Vegas'' was released nationwide on February 9, 1996, receiving strong praise from critics and audiences with many lauding the performances from Cage and Shue, the tone, the themes and Figgis's direction and screenplay. Cage received the [[Golden Globe Award for Best Actor - Motion Picture Drama]] and the [[Academy Award for Best Actor]], while Shue was nominated for the [[Golden Globe Award for Best Actress - Motion Picture Drama]] and the [[Academy Award for Best Actress]]. The film also received nominations for [[Academy Award for Writing Adapted Screenplay|Best Adapted Screenplay]] and [[Academy Award for Best Director|Best Director]].

==Plot==
Ben Sanderson is an alcoholic [[Hollywood (film industry)|Hollywood]] [[screenwriter]] who has lost his job, family, and friends. With nothing left to live for, and with a sizable severance check from his boss, he heads to [[Las Vegas]] where he plans on drinking himself to death. One early morning, he drives drunkenly from his Los Angeles home down to the [[Las Vegas Strip]]; he nearly hits a woman, Sera, on the crosswalk. She chastises him and walks away.

Sera is a prostitute working for abusive [[Latvians|Latvian]] [[pimp]] Yuri Butsov. [[Polish-American organized crime|Polish mobsters]] are after Yuri, so he ends his relationship with Sera for fear that the Poles might otherwise hurt her.

On his second day in Las Vegas, Ben hunts up Sera. He introduces himself, and offers her $500 to spend an hour in his room with him. Sera agrees, but Ben does not want sex. Instead, they talk and develop a rapport; Sera invites Ben to move into her apartment. Ben makes Sera promise to never ask that he stop drinking; in return, Ben promises never to criticize her occupation. She thanks him and agrees to his terms.

At first, the pair are happy; yet each soon becomes frustrated with the other's behavior. Sera pleads with Ben to consult a rehab clinic, but all her advice is wasted on him. While Sera is selling, Ben goes to a casino and returns with another prostitute. Sera returns home to find them in her bed, and throws Ben out. Shortly afterward, Sera is approached by three college students at the [[Excalibur Hotel and Casino]]. She initially rejects them, proclaiming that she "dates" just one customer at a time. Eventually, however, Sera acquiesces when offered an increased price. After she arrives at the students' hotel room, the trio change their deal by demanding anal sex. When she refuses and attempts to leave, all three violently gang-rape her.

The following day, Sera's landlady sees her bruised. She tells Sera to leave by the end of the week. Sera receives a call from Ben, who is on his deathbed. She visits Ben, and the two make love; he dies shortly thereafter. Later, Sera tells her therapist that she accepted Ben for who he was, and that she loved him.

==Cast==
{{div col}}
* [[Nicolas Cage]] as Ben Sanderson
* [[Elisabeth Shue]] as Sera
* [[Julian Sands]] as Yuri Butsov
* [[Richard Lewis (comedian)|Richard Lewis]] as Peter
* [[Steven Weber]] as Marc Nussbaum
* [[Emily Procter]] as Debbie
* [[Valeria Golino]] as Terri
* [[Thomas Kopache]] as Mr. Simpson
* [[Laurie Metcalf]] as Mrs. Van Houten
* [[French Stewart]] as Business Man #2
* [[R. Lee Ermey]] as Conventioneer
* [[Mariska Hargitay]] as Hooker at Bar
* [[Julian Lennon]] as Bartender #3 in Biker Bar
* [[Graham Beckel]] as L.A. Bartender
* [[Albert Henderson (actor)|Albert Henderson]] as Man at Strip Bar
* [[Carey Lowell]] as Bank Teller
* [[Vincent Ward (director)|Vincent Ward]] as Businessman #1
* [[Lucinda Jenney]] as Weird Woman
* [[Ed Lauter]] as Mobster #3
* [[Mike Figgis]] as Mobster #1
* [[Danny Huston]] as Bartender #2
* [[Shawnee Smith]] as Biker Girl
* [[Bob Rafelson]] as Man at Mall
* [[Marc Coppola (actor)|Marc Coppola]] as Dealer
* [[Michael Goorjian]] as College Boy #1 (as Michael A. Goorjian)
* [[Jeremy Jordan (singer, born 1973)|Jeremy Jordan]] as College Boy #2
* [[Xander Berkeley]] as Cynical Cabbie
* [[Lou Rawls]] as Concerned Cabbie
{{div col end}}

==Production==
===Development===
Mike Figgis based ''Leaving Las Vegas'' on a 1990 autobiographical novel by John O'Brien, who died by suicide in April 1994, shortly after finding out his novel was being used as the basis for a film.<ref name="Entertainment Weekly">{{cite magazine |last=Nashawaty |first=Chris |date=November 10, 1995 |title=Grieving 'Las Vegas' |url=https://ew.com/article/1995/11/10/john-obriens-bittersweet-departure/ |url-status=live |magazine=Entertainment Weekly |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070331115854/https://www.ew.com/ew/article/0,,299516,00.html |archive-date=2007-03-31}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2009/02/13/movies/leavinglasvegas.html |title=FILM REVIEW; Lurching Through a Life Of Alcoholic Abandon |access-date=January 16, 2007 |work=[[The New York Times]] |first=Janet |last=Maslin |author-link=Janet Maslin |date=February 13, 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140412114404/https://www.nytimes.com/2009/02/13/movies/leavinglasvegas.html |archive-date=April 12, 2014 |url-status=live }}</ref> Despite basing most of his screenplay on O'Brien's novel, Figgis spoke of a personal attachment to the novel, stating "Anything I would do would be because I had a sympathetic feeling towards it. That's why I did ''[[Mr. Jones (1993 film)|Mr. Jones]]'', because I think [[bipolar disorder|manic-depression]] is a fascinating, sad, and amazing phenomenon. It's not a coincidence that some of the greatest artists have been manic-depressives. That made it, to me, a fascinating subject that, alas, did not come out in the film."<ref name="Film Critic: Mike Figgis">{{cite web |last=Noll |first=Christopher |date=1996-02-18 |title=Viva, "Las Vegas!" – Interviewing Director Mike Figgis |url=http://www.filmcritic.com/features/1996/02/viva-las-vegas---interviewing-director-mike-figgis |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110906062420/http://www.filmcritic.com/features/1996/02/viva-las-vegas---interviewing-director-mike-figgis/ |archive-date=September 6, 2011 |access-date=August 16, 2010 |work=Film Critic}}</ref>

===Casting===
Figgis encouraged the lead actors to experience their characters' ordeals first-hand by extensive research. He told ''Film Critic'': "It was just a week and a half of rehearsal. A lot of conversations. A lot of communication in the year before we made the film. Reading the book. I encouraged them [Cage and Shue] to do their own research, which they wanted to do anyway, and then ultimately the three of us got together and just started talking...talking about anything, not necessarily about the film or the script, about anything that came up."<ref name="Film Critic: Mike Figgis" /> Cage did research by [[binge drinking]] in Dublin for two weeks and had a friend videotape him so he could study his speech. He also visited hospitalized chronic alcoholics.<ref name="wenn">{{cite web |date=August 9, 2000 |title=Cage Did Serious Research For Alcoholic Role |url=https://www.imdb.com/news/wenn/2000-08-09#celeb5 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20040705213238/https://www.imdb.com/news/wenn/2000-08-09 |archive-date=July 5, 2004 |access-date=December 9, 2006 |work=WENN}}</ref> He said "it was one of the most enjoyable pieces of research I've ever had to do for a part."<ref name="wenn" /> Shue spent time interviewing several Las Vegas prostitutes.<ref name=":0">{{Cite news |date=1996-02-12 |title='Vegas' Stars Cage, Shue Ponder Chances for Oscar |work=Sun-Sentinel |url=https://www.sun-sentinel.com/news/fl-xpm-1996-02-12-9602090533-story.html |url-status=dead |access-date=2022-10-11 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210621043917/https://www.sun-sentinel.com/news/fl-xpm-1996-02-12-9602090533-story.html |archive-date=June 21, 2021}}</ref>

===Filming===
The limited budget dictated the production and Figgis ended up filming in [[super 16mm]] and composing his own score.<ref name="Cage interview" /><ref name="The Free Lance Star">{{cite news |last=Boyar |first=Tracy |date=1996-02-09 |title=It's Worth Watching for ''Leaving Las Vegas'' |work=[[The Free Lance Star]] |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=7OgyAAAAIBAJ&pg=3275,1656270 |access-date=August 16, 2010}}</ref> He said "We didn't have any money, and we weren't pretending to be something we weren't. We couldn't shut down The Strip to shoot".<ref name="Film Critic: Mike Figgis" /> Cage recounted that he found the use of 16mm liberating as an actor stating in a 1995 interview with Roger Ebert: {{blockquote| "As an actor, having a 16-mm. camera in my face was liberating because it's much smaller, so you don't feel as intimidated by it. It catches those little nuances. Because as soon as that big camera's in your face, you tense up a little bit. Film acting is a learning experience about how to get over that, but I don't know that you ever really do."<ref name="Cage interview" />}}

Figgis had problems because permits were not issued for some street scenes.<ref name="Stanford" /> This caused him to film some scenes on the Las Vegas strip in one take to avoid the police, which Figgis said benefited production and the authenticity of the acting, remarking "I've always hated the convention of shooting on a street, and then having to stop the traffic, and then having to tell the actors, 'Well, there's meant to be traffic here, so you're going to have to shout.' And they're shouting, but it's quiet and they feel really stupid, because it's unnatural. You put them up against a couple of trucks, with it all happening around them, and their voices become great".<ref name="Film Critic: Mike Figgis" /><ref name="Stanford">{{cite web |author=Lampe |first=Ryan |date=2005-11-04 |title='Leaving Las Vegas' reminds us performance counts |url=http://daily.stanford.edu/article/2005/11/4/leavingLasVegasRemindsUsPerformanceCounts |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071013064005/http://daily.stanford.edu/article/2005/11/4/leavingLasVegasRemindsUsPerformanceCounts |archive-date=October 13, 2007 |access-date=December 9, 2006 |work=The Stanford Daily}}</ref> Filming took place over 28 days during the autumn of 1994.<ref name=":1">{{Cite news |last=Puig |first=Claudia |date=1996-01-10 |title='Leaving' Preconceptions Behind? : As Acclaim Grows and Distribution Widens, 'Vegas' Seeks Mainstream Respect |work=Los Angeles Times |url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1996-01-10-ca-22891-story.html |url-status=live |access-date=2022-10-11 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221011010815/https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1996-01-10-ca-22891-story.html |archive-date=2022-10-11}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title= Leaving Las Vegas (1995) - Filming & production - IMDb|website=[[IMDb]] |url=https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0113627/locations/}}</ref>

==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>
|}

==Home media ==
The VHS and DVD of the film were released by [[MGM Home Entertainment]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=Leaving Las Vegas (1995) - All releases |url=https://www.allmovie.com/movie/leaving-las-vegas-v135758/releases |access-date=2022-10-11 |website=[[AllMovie]]}}</ref> The VHS was released on November 12, 1996 in two languages, English and Russian, while the DVD was released on January 1, 1998 in English, in the USA and Canada. Australian and UK editions later were released.<ref>{{Cite book|asin=6304045824 |title=Leaving Las Vegas (1995) VHS}}</ref><ref>{{Cite book|isbn=0792838068|title=Leaving Las Vegas (1995) DVD}}</ref> The DVD contains a supplemental "Hidden Page" menu feature.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Leaving Las Vegas DVD |url=https://www.female.com.au/leaving-las-vegas-dvd.htm |access-date=2022-10-11 |website=www.female.com.au |language=en}}</ref>

The film was also released on Blu-ray, HD DVD, and LaserDisc.<ref>{{Cite news |date=June 18, 2016 |title=Leaving Las Vegas Blu-ray |url=https://www.blu-ray.com/news/?id=19264 |access-date=October 11, 2022}}</ref>

==Soundtrack==
A soundtrack album, consisting mainly of film score composed and performed by Mike Figgis, was released November 7, 1995.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.cduniverse.com/search/xx/music/pid/1207112/a/Leaving+Las+Vegas.htm |title=Leaving Las Vegas CD |access-date=December 9, 2006 |work=CD Universe.com }}</ref> The soundtrack also included three jazz standards performed by [[Sting (musician)|Sting]] and excerpts of dialogue from the film. A version of "[[Lonely Teardrops]]" performed by [[Michael McDonald (singer)|Michael McDonald]] from ''[[The New York Rock and Soul Revue: Live at the Beacon]]'' that features in the film is not included.

{{Track listing
| total_length    = 
| extra_column    = Performer
| all_writing     = Mike Figgis except as noted
| title1          = Intro Dialogue
| note1           = dialogue
| extra1          = Nicolas Cage as Ben<br/>Elisabeth Shue as Sera
| length1         = 0:32
| title2          = [[Angel Eyes (1946 song)|Angel Eyes]]
| writer2         = [[Matt Dennis]], Earl Brent
| extra2          = [[Sting (musician)|Sting]]
| length2         = 4:02
| title3          = Are You Desirable?
| writer3         = 
| extra3          = Mike Figgis
| length3         = 2:43
| title4          = Ben & Bill
| note4           = dialogue
| extra4          = Nicolas Cage as Ben
| length4         = 0:30
| title5          = Leaving Las Vegas
| writer5         = 
| extra5          = Mike Figgis
| length5         = 3:12
| title6          = Sera's Dark Side
| writer6         = 
| extra6          = Mike Figgis
| length6         = 1:26
| title7          = Mara
| writer7         = 
| extra7          = Mike Figgis
| length7         = 4:28
| title8          = Burlesque
| writer8         = 
| extra8          = Mike Figgis
| length8         = 2:40
| title9          = On the Street
| note9           = dialogue
| extra9          = Nicolas Cage as Ben<br/>Elisabeth Shue as Sera
| length9         = 0:28
| title10          = Bossa Vega
| writer10         = 
| extra10          = Mike Figgis
| length10         = 3:14
| title11          = Ben Pawns His Rolex/Sera Talks to Her Shrink
| note11           = dialogue
| extra11          = Nicolas Cage as Ben<br/>Elisabeth Shue as Sera
| length11         = 0:37
| title12          = [[My One and Only Love]]
| writer12         = [[Robert Mellin]], [[Guy Wood]]
| extra12          = Sting
| length12         = 3:36
| title13          = Sera Invites Ben to Stay
| note13           = dialogue
| extra13          = Nicolas Cage as Ben<br/>Elisabeth Shue as Sera
| length13         = 0:31
| title14          = [[Come Rain or Come Shine]]
| writer14         = [[Harold Arlen]], [[Johnny Mercer]]
| extra14          = [[Don Henley]]
| length14         = 3:41
| title15          = Ben and Sera – Theme
| note15           = dialogue
| extra15          = Nicolas Cage as Ben<br/>Elisabeth Shue as Sera
| length15         = 2:18
| title16          = Ridiculous
| writer16         = [[Phil Roy]], Nicolas Cage
| extra16          = Nicolas Cage
| length16         = 1:03
| title17          = Biker Bar
| writer17         = 
| extra17          = Mike Figgis
| length17         = 3:44
| title18          = Ben's Hell
| writer18         = 
| extra18          = Mike Figgis
| length18         = 1:37
| title19          = It's a Lonesome Old Town
| writer19         = [[Harry Tobias]], Charles Kisco
| extra19          = Sting
| length19         = 2:37
| title20          = Blues for Ben
| writer20         = 
| extra20          = Mike Figgis
| length20         = 1:56
| title21          = Get Out
| writer21         = 
| extra21          = Mike Figgis
| length21         = 1:49
| title22          = Reunited
| writer22         = 
| extra22          = Mike Figgis
| length22         = 3:28
| title23          = Sera Talks to the Cab Driver
| note23           = dialogue
| extra23          = Elisabeth Shue as Sera<br/>[[Lou Rawls]] as Concerned Cabbie
| length23         = 0:23
| title24          = She Really Loved Him 
| writer24         = 
| extra24          = Mike Figgis
| length24         = 1:17
| title25          = I Won't Be Going South for a While
| writer25         = Angelo Palladino
| extra25          = The Palladinos
| length25         = 4:27
}}

==See also==
* [[List of films set in Las Vegas]]

==Notes==
{{notelist}}

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==Further reading==
* {{cite book |title=Philosophy Through Film |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=bItUHBmB8YIC|chapter=9. EXISTENTIALISM – ''The Seventh Seal'' (1957), ''Crimes and Misdemeanors'' (1988), and ''Leaving Las Vegas'' (1995) <nowiki>[</nowiki>pp. 209–226<nowiki>]</nowiki>|chapter-url=https://books.google.com/books?id=bItUHBmB8YIC&q=%229.+EXISTENTIALISM+–+The+Seventh+Seal+(1957),+Crimes+and+Misdemeanors+(1988),+and+Leaving+Las+Vegas+(1995)&pg=209|first=Mary M. |last=Litch |publisher=[[Routledge]] |location=London | year=2010 |orig-date=1st ed. 2002  |edition=2nd|isbn=978-0415938754 }}

==External links==
{{Wikiquote}}
* {{IMDb title}}
* {{Rotten Tomatoes}}
* {{TCMDb title}}

{{Mike Figgis}}
{{Navboxes
|title = Awards for ''Leaving Las Vegas''
|list =
{{Dallas–Fort Worth Film Critics Association Award for Best Film}}
{{Independent Spirit Award for Best Film}}
{{Los Angeles Film Critics Association Award for Best Film}}
{{New York Film Critics Circle Award for Best Film}}
}}
{{Authority control}}

[[Category:1995 films]]
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[[Category:1990s French films]]
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[[Category:British erotic drama films]]
[[Category:British independent films]]
[[Category:British romantic drama films]]
[[Category:Crimes against sex workers in fiction]]
[[Category:English-language French films]]
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[[Category:English-language erotic drama films]]
[[Category:English-language romantic drama films]]
[[Category:Films about alcoholism]]
[[Category:Films about depression]]
[[Category:Films about gang rape]]
[[Category:Films about prostitution in the United States]]
[[Category:Films about suicide]]
[[Category:Films based on American novels]]
[[Category:Films directed by Mike Figgis]]
[[Category:Films featuring a Best Actor Academy Award–winning performance]]
[[Category:Films featuring a Best Drama Actor Golden Globe winning performance]]
[[Category:Films set in the Las Vegas Valley]]
[[Category:Films shot in 16 mm film]]
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[[Category:French erotic drama films]]
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[[Category:French romantic drama films]]
[[Category:Independent Spirit Award for Best Film winners]]
[[Category:Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer films]]
[[Category:United Artists films]]