The setting of a film can be as important as the plot and character development, and plenty of box office hits were only possible because of their location. Some cities have a global reputation that makes them an important part of the stories told there, whether that’s to provide a recognisable environment, give context for the action, or explain the culture in which the protagonists are operating.
Some of the best-known films rely on their location for their brilliance, such as:
- The Italian Job
- Alcatraz
- Dante’s Peak
- Heart of Darkness
- 21 Bridges
- Lawrence of Arabia
- Don’t Look Now
While some films could take place anywhere, some stories need to be told against an appropriate backdrop.
Las Vegas as a film location
As one of the most iconic cities in the United States, Las Vegas has certainly had more than its fair share of media attention. Poets, novelists, journalists, and screenwriters have all been inspired by the self-confessed ‘City of Sin’, and there are plenty of captivating true stories that originate from that part of the desert as well.
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When it comes to the kind of films that are set and shot in Vegas, there’s everything from romantic comedies to tense thrillers and everything in between, such as:
Viva Las Vegas
American icons abound as Elvis enters the building, bringing a song that has become so closely associated with the city that people sing it spontaneously whenever Las Vegas is mentioned. This box-office hit cemented Elvis’s reputation as a triple threat as he sang, danced, and acted his way into the history books.
The story is a classic Vegas tale of an impoverished, but talented, racing driver who just needs a lucky break in order to win the race of a lifetime and the girl of his dreams. (Spoiler alert – Elvis achieves all that and more by the end of the film.)
Oceans Eleven
The whole premise of the film is the planning and execution of an audacious heist, targeting three different casinos in one night. While there are probably a few other places with a high-enough concentration of casinos to pull off this stunt, none would work as well as Vegas.
The original version of this film, made in 1960, was even more Vegas-centric than the 2001 remake. The cast featured members of the Rat Pack, high-profile real-life Las Vegas celebrities, including Frank Sinatra, Sammy Davis Jr, Dean Martin, and Peter Lawford.
Their association with Las Vegas was one of the things that lent the original film additional authenticity.
The remake featured an equally impressive cast, including George Clooney, Julia Roberts, Bernie Mac, and Matt Damon. While the premise is the same, the cutting-edge casino security system and the team’s ingenious way of accessing the vault make for a funny and exciting film.
Rain Man
If the sneaky and materialistic Charlie Babbit, played by Tom Cruise, hadn’t taken his newly discovered brother, played by Dustin Hoffman, to Las Vegas, he may never have witnessed the card-counting skills that make the story so compelling. The pressure of mounting debt and the lure of a big casino win are familiar themes in Las Vegas storytelling.
The innocent charm of Hoffman’s character, Raymond, provides a stark contrast to Cruise’s underhanded and sneaky approach, bringing a new dimension to this tale of Vegas fortune hunters. The brothers reconcile, and Charlie Babbit appears to be inspired by his brother to lead a more honest life, but only after he has exploited his brother’s abilities to win a debt-clearing sum at the casino.
Swingers
Because of its location, Las Vegas not only offers a unique and instantly recognisable backdrop for a range of films, but it also provides the motivation for another classic movie trope – a road trip. Throw in a bad breakup, a group of friends in search of fame, fortune, and love, and the high-octane gaming environment of Las Vegas, and this memorable comedy has everything.
The film had a minuscule budget, which wouldn’t stretch to hiring clubs or venues in Las Vegas, so many of the scenes feature real-life partygoers and staff instead of extras. This wasn’t just cost-effective, but made the depiction of the Las Vegas lifestyle even more realistic.
21
Following the true story of a group of gifted mathematicians, this film tells the story of a real-life attempt to subvert the famously tight Las Vegas casino security systems. Mentored by their professor, students at MIT used their skills to count cards and win big, and the film telling their story could only be set on the casino floors where it actually happened.
Although the film embellishes the story significantly, the infamous heist has gone down in Las Vegas folklore as one of the more unusual attempts to beat the odds.
As one of the most infamous cities in the world, it is fitting that Las Vegas has been the setting for such a diverse and entertaining array of films.