Leaving Las Vegas 4K 1995 Unrated

I watched this movie last night, and today I spent the whole morning trying to remember the last time I had such a hard time watching a movie, not because of poor quality or slow development of events, but because of what happens on screen at the end, which makes your nerves give way and makes you want to take out the DVD, turn away, and leave.

At first glance, the story may seem far-fetched, as if he is to blame for his own condition, and there is no point in feeling sorry for such a degenerate and rotten character who is burning his own life. It is his choice. A choice made consciously. A completely independent and uncompromising choice. The same can be said about her. She could have changed her life for the better if she wanted to, she could have gotten any guy she wanted... At first glance, we see two typical losers who couldn't withstand the blow of fate and fell into a deep abyss.

But what makes us watch the film and truly, truly empathize with the characters, put ourselves in their shoes, and sink into the same deep and heavy hopelessness... It's the fact that there is not the slightest feeling of falseness or artificiality. There is no sense of cinema. Through the music, the truly magnificent performances of both lead actors, and the excellently crafted script, we are immersed in this world. And it becomes frightening to realize what could have happened to these people. You begin to wonder what cruel joke life has played on them. And the closer we get to the end, the more intense our feelings become. Each new frame becomes more difficult to watch.

This film is about the tragedy of the human soul. It is a protest against the American dream of glamour and rose-tinted optimism. It is a manifesto. It is a film about loneliness and the uselessness of the individual. Loneliness and hopelessness are not just the main themes of the plot. They are its foundation. Many may object and start talking about the love between a dying drunkard and a lonely prostitute... but is it love? He simply finally met someone who really understands him and does not try to judge him. She fully accepts his choice. She, in turn, has finally found someone she can care for.

Yes, it's a film from 1995, and yes, everything has changed a lot in his acting and his life, but thanks to this role, this performance... I will never be able to say a bad word about Nicolas Cage again. His performance is stunning. It amazes with its genuine naturalism. The character is absolutely three-dimensional, his feelings are real, his problems are palpable. You believe. You believe even when you don't want to. You believe when you want to turn away and mutter something incomprehensible. You believe. He fills the screen. From the screen, he floods your soul, seeping into everything, even the smallest cracks in your soul, and by the end, watching becomes simply unbearable. The same can be said of Elizabeth Shue. But it was easier for her. Her role is not as deeply depressing. Her character still has the strength to fight this world and live.