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Last Vegas
Last Vegas
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Last Vegas
Theatrical release poster
Directed byJon Turteltaub
Written byDan Fogelman
Produced by
Starring
CinematographyDavid Hennings
Edited byDavid Rennie
Music byMark Mothersbaugh
Production
company
Distributed byCBS Films
Release dates
  • October 30, 2013 (2013-10-30) (New York City)
  • November 1, 2013 (2013-11-01) (United States)
Running time
105 minutes
CountryUnited States
LanguageEnglish
Budget$28 million[1]
Box office$134.4 million[1]

Last Vegas is a 2013 American comedy film directed by Jon Turteltaub, written by Dan Fogelman and starring Michael Douglas, Robert De Niro, Morgan Freeman, Kevin Kline and Mary Steenburgen.[2] Three retirees travel to Las Vegas to have a bachelor party for their last remaining single friend. The film was released to theaters on November 1, 2013, by CBS Films.[3][4]

Plot

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Four childhood friends from Brooklyn—Sam, Archie, Paddy and Billy—are now older. Sam and his wife Miriam live in Naples, Florida. Archie, a twice-divorced Vietnam veteran, lives in New Jersey. Paddy lives alone in his Brooklyn apartment, bitter since the death of his beloved wife Sophie. Billy is a successful entrepreneur in Malibu who lives with his 31-year-old girlfriend Lisa. Shortly after proposing to Lisa (at a funeral), Billy finds an old bottle of scotch that he and his friends stole in their childhood days and calls Sam and Archie, who immediately propose a bachelor party for Billy in Las Vegas. After being given permission by Miriam to have sex with someone else, Sam collects Archie, whose ongoing health issues cause his son to be concerned. They convince a reluctant Paddy to join them, and they fly to rendezvous with Billy in Las Vegas.

Billy and Paddy get into a heated argument about Billy's failure to attend Sophie's funeral. They visit the Aria Resort and Casino, where the wedding will be held, and are attracted to the lounge by the singing of Diana. The five share a drink and convince Diana to join them for the festivities.

While awaiting their rooms, Archie goes to a blackjack table and buys $15,000 of chips with his pension money. When Paddy and Sam return, they find that Archie is ahead by $102,000. They quickly leave the table in fear of being accused of card counting. Billy tours the wedding chapel with Diana and becomes smitten with her.

The four men become judges of a swimsuit competition. They are confronted by the casino manager, who offers to compensate the group with his largest penthouse suite, with the hope that Archie will stay and spend his winnings at the hotel. Billy suggests that they open the old bottle of scotch to celebrate, but Paddy storms off. That night, the remaining three go to the hotel's nightclub, where they enjoy a night of drinking and dancing. Sam meets a young maid of honor from a bachelorette party who expresses her attraction for him.

The following day, while the others are recovering, Paddy visits Diana and tells her that he and Billy were both in love with Sophie when they were younger and that she had picked Paddy. Diana tries to convince him to stop grieving and move on with life because Sophie would want it. Paddy joins Billy at their pool cabana and admits that he needs to move on from Sophie's passing. He is also upset with Billy for marrying a woman whom he does not truly love. That night, Sam and Archie throw a massive bachelor party for Billy in their suite. They prepare for the party and invite several people, including a bachelorette party from the nightclub, exotic dancers, a band of drag queens, and cast members of Zarkana.

Billy visits Diana. She admits that she is fond of him, and asks if he truly loves Lisa. As they walk along The Strip, Billy tells Diana that Paddy gave Sophie an ultimatum to choose either Billy or him, and that she secretly chose Billy first, but Billy told Sophie that she was meant to be with Paddy.

Paddy tells Billy that he invited Diana to the party because he likes her and wants to start anew after Sophie's passing, but he realizes that Billy likes her too. When Diana arrives, Billy pushes Paddy into the pool and takes Diana upstairs to tell her to give Paddy a chance. She says that she feels like she is being treated like Sophie, and "gifted" by Billy to Paddy, which Paddy overhears. Paddy is devastated to learn this and throws the old bottle of scotch in the trash as he leaves the party. Meanwhile, Sam prepares to cheat on his wife with the young maid of honor but cannot bring himself to do it.

The next morning, Paddy confronts Billy at the pool. He informs Billy that no one can tell Sophie who to love, and that they shared a beautiful life together. He tells Billy to call off the wedding. As Lisa and her bridesmaids arrive, Paddy pushes Billy into the pool and tells Lisa that Billy is calling off the wedding.

Billy admits his fear of getting old and being alone. He goes to the lounge where Diana is singing and reveals his feelings for her. The guys decide to finally open the old bottle of scotch for a toast, but to their surprise, all but Paddy find the taste repulsive.

A few months later, Billy and Diana call Archie and Paddy to announce that they are getting married. They try to call Sam, but he is unable to answer the phone because he is being intimate with his wife.

Cast

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Production

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Early in development, Jack Nicholson was attached to the project.[5]

Principal photography started in November 2012 in Las Vegas.[6] At the end of November, filming moved to the Atlanta, Georgia, area.[7]

Reception

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Critical response

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On Rotten Tomatoes, the film holds an approval rating of 45% based on 142 reviews, with an average rating of 5.2/10. The site's critics consensus reads: "The cast of Last Vegas keep things amiably watchable, but the film is mostly a mellower Hangover retread for the older set."[8] On Metacritic, the film has a weighted average score of 48 out of 100, based on 34 critics, indicating "mixed or average" reviews.[9] Audiences surveyed by CinemaScore gave the film an average grade of "A−" on a scale of A+ to F.[10][11]

Scott Foundas of Variety wrote, "A smattering of funny gags and the nostalgia value of the cast—none of whom, curiously, have ever shared the screen before—keeps the whole thing more watchable than it has any right to be." Foundas calls the film a clone of The Hangover and praises Mary Steenburgen for her performance but says, "The rest of the movie rarely if ever rises to Steenburgen's level".[12]

Ignatiy Vishnevetsky of The A.V. Club gave the film a grade D− and wrote, "The high point of Last Vegas is also arguably the low point of Robert De Niro's career".[13]

Box office

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Last Vegas grossed $16.3 million in its opening weekend in the US from 3,065 theaters, averaging $5,329 per theater and ranking #3 for the weekend. The film closed on February 20, 2014, with a worldwide final gross of $134.4 million, becoming CBS Films's highest-grossing film.[1]

Home media

[edit]

Last Vegas was released on DVD and Blu-ray on January 28, 2014.[citation needed]

Soundtrack

[edit]

The soundtrack to Last Vegas was released on October 29, 2013.[citation needed]

No.TitleArtistLength
1."Last Vegas"Mark Mothersbaugh1:39
2."Paddy Packs a Punch"Mark Mothersbaugh0:22
3."Paddy Intro/Eulogy"Mark Mothersbaugh2:33
4."Telling the Boys"Mark Mothersbaugh1:12
5."Only You (And You Alone)"Buck Ram2:05
6."Happy Dance"Mark Mothersbaugh0:19
7."Archie's Great Escape"Mark Mothersbaugh1:58
8."Flight of the Flatbush"Mark Mothersbaugh2:03
9."Cup of Trouble"performed by Mary Steenburgen2:24
10."Archie Gambles"Mark Mothersbaugh1:18
11."Bikini Babes"Mark Mothersbaugh0:35
12."The Penthouse"Mark Mothersbaugh1:03
13."Curtain Confusion"Mark Mothersbaugh0:45
14."You're Nobody 'til Somebody Loves You"James Cavanaugh / Russ Morgan / Larry Stock2:16
15."Dean Meets Knuckles"Mark Mothersbaugh1:13
16."Sophie's Choice"Mark Mothersbaugh2:26
17."Sam's Realization"Mark Mothersbaugh1:29
18."Only You [Slow Version]"Performed by Mary Steenburgen1:58
19."Paddy Crushed"Mark Mothersbaugh2:39
20."Paddy's Ultimatum"Mark Mothersbaugh1:49
21."Billy Breaks It Packing"Mark Mothersbaugh2:29
22."Bad Scotch"Mark Mothersbaugh1:13
23."Four Fellas"Mark Mothersbaugh1:28
24."Billy's Getting Married"Mark Mothersbaugh1:27
25."I Only Have Eyes For You"Al Dubin / Harry Warren2:40
Total length:41:33[14]

See also

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References

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[edit]
Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia
from Grokipedia
Last Vegas is a American buddy comedy film directed by and written by , centering on four lifelong friends in their seventies—portrayed by , , , and —who reunite in for a to celebrate Billy's to a much younger woman. The story follows the group as they navigate the vibrant nightlife of the city, confronting old rivalries, personal regrets, and the realities of aging while attempting to recapture their youthful exuberance through gambling, romance, and humorous escapades. Produced by and distributed by Releasing, the film was released on November 1, , with a runtime of 105 minutes and a PG-13 rating for language, sexual content, and some nudity. The ensemble cast delivers standout performances, with Douglas as the perpetual bachelor Billy Gerson, De Niro as the widowed and brooding Paddy Connors, Freeman as the wise but health-conscious Archie Clayton, and Kline as the fun-loving retiree ; supporting roles include as a lounge singer who sparks romantic interest. Filmed primarily on location in , , the production had a budget of $28 million and grossed $63.9 million in the United States and , alongside $70.5 million internationally, for a worldwide total of $134.4 million. Critically, the film received mixed reviews, earning a 45% approval rating from critics on based on 142 reviews, who praised the chemistry among the veteran actors but critiqued the predictable script and lack of originality compared to similar comedies like . Audiences responded more positively, with a 6.6/10 average rating on from over 140,000 users, appreciating its lighthearted take on friendship and maturity. Last Vegas marked ' highest-grossing release at the time. The film received a satirical EDA Special Mention Award from the for and in the Most Egregious Age Difference Between the Leading Man and the Love Interest category. The film's score, composed by , incorporates lively and pop elements to evoke the Las Vegas atmosphere, while its themes of enduring male bonds and second chances resonated with older demographics, contributing to its streaming success years later on platforms like .

Story and characters

Plot

Four lifelong friends—Billy, the eternal bachelor and successful lawyer; Paddy, the grumpy widower still mourning his late wife; Archie, the mild-mannered grandfather recovering from a ; and Sam, the happily but bored married man—have shared a bond since childhood in . When Billy announces his engagement to his much younger fiancée, Lisa, he convinces his reluctant friends to join him in for a long-overdue to relive their youthful adventures. Upon arriving in , the group is upgraded to a lavish suite at a high-end , where they immerse themselves in the city's vibrant , at casinos and soaking in the contrast between their expectations of the classic and its modern, youthful energy. Sam, feeling stagnant in his marriage, begins flirting with a lounge singer named Diana, leading to a romantic subplot that encourages him to rediscover his vitality through dance lessons and intimate moments. Meanwhile, Archie, chafing under the overprotectiveness of his family back home, experiences a medical scare when his heart condition flares up during their escapades, prompting the group to rally around him and seek immediate care at a . Tensions simmer among the friends as old grievances resurface, particularly between Billy and Paddy, stemming from a decades-old rivalry over a woman they both loved in their youth, which has left Paddy harboring resentment toward Billy's carefree lifestyle. The group's adventures escalate when they encounter rowdy younger partygoers at a , leading to humorous clashes and a spontaneous performance where they impersonate the , captivating the crowd with their charisma and earning them VIP treatment. Paddy attempts reconciliation by opening up about his loneliness, while the friends navigate further mishaps, including Sam's excessive use of medication during a wild night out. As the bachelor party reaches its climax, Billy grapples with doubts about his impending marriage to the much younger Lisa, questioning whether it's a genuine second chance at love or an attempt to defy aging. Heartfelt confrontations among the friends resolve their past conflicts, reaffirming their unbreakable bond amid themes of and mortality. The story culminates in Billy's at a , where the group celebrates not just the union but their enduring camaraderie, with each friend finding personal renewal—Paddy embracing the possibility of new romance, asserting his independence, and Sam recommitting to his wife.

Cast

The principal cast of Last Vegas features a quartet of acclaimed veteran actors portraying lifelong friends reuniting in their later years. stars as Billy Gerson, a wealthy and charismatic bachelor whose engagement prompts the group's adventure; at 68 years old during filming, Douglas's suave, worldly screen persona, honed in roles like , lends authenticity to Billy's sophisticated yet impulsive nature. Robert De Niro plays Patrick "Paddy" Connors, the group's grumpy widower harboring old resentments; De Niro, aged 70 at the time, brings his signature intensity and brooding presence—evident in films like —to embody Paddy's cantankerous demeanor and emotional guardedness. Morgan Freeman portrays Archibald "Archie" Clayton, an optimistic retiree navigating life post-stroke with cautious enthusiasm; Freeman, 76 during production, infuses the role with his trademark warm, philosophical gravitas, as seen in The Shawshank Redemption, highlighting Archie's resilient and uplifting spirit. Kevin Kline is Sam Harris, the affable husband seeking excitement outside his routine marriage; at 66, Kline's versatile comedic timing, showcased in A Fish Called Wanda, suits Sam's lighthearted, adventurous traits and desire for rediscovery. In a key supporting role, appears as Diana, a vibrant lounge singer whose presence ignites unexpected romance; Steenburgen, then 60, draws on her poised, emotionally layered performances, such as in , to capture Diana's sultry confidence and depth as a former professional seeking new connections. Michael plays Ezra, Archie's overprotective adult son, providing familial grounding; Bre portrays Lisa, Billy's fiancée who appears briefly; and Jerry is Dean, a young man adding youthful contrast to the ensemble dynamics during their nightclub encounter.

Production

Development

The screenplay for Last Vegas originated from a pitch by Dan Fogelman, acquired by CBS Films for $1 million in March 2008, centering on four semi-retired baby boomers heading to Las Vegas for a bachelor party to celebrate their last single friend's impending marriage. Fogelman, known for his work on romantic comedies like Crazy, Stupid, Love., crafted the script to explore themes of enduring male friendships amid the excesses of Sin City, drawing from the buddy comedy genre that gained popularity with films such as The Hangover. In September 2011, was attached to direct, attracted to the story's blend of humor and heartfelt examination of aging and camaraderie among longtime friends. , whose prior films included action-adventure hits like , saw potential in the project's lighthearted take on midlife reflection, though he had not previously collaborated with lead actor , who was the first cast member attached in early development. The film emphasized as a vibrant, chaotic backdrop to juxtapose the characters' advancing years with youthful revelry, with Fogelman revising the script to temper comedic elements with emotional depth on and regret. Financing was led by in partnership with and Productions, with key producers including and Amy Baer; the initial was set at $28 million. Development began with the 2008 pitch acquisition and progressed through script refinements, culminating in a for in late 2012.

Filming

Principal photography for Last Vegas commenced on November 5, 2012, in , , where the production team captured key exterior and location shots over a 10-day period. Filming then relocated to , Georgia, at the end of November to shoot interiors, flashbacks, and additional scenes on soundstages and local sets. In , the crew made extensive use of authentic sites to evoke the city's energy, including the Resort & Casino on the Strip, the Hotel for elevated action sequences, the , Binion's Gambling Hall, and the . Production faced logistical hurdles in capturing the bustling atmosphere of without disrupting daily operations. Director noted the challenges of maneuvering the cast through crowded areas like the Strip and floors while securing permissions for multiple iconic spots within the limited time frame. The sequences proved particularly demanding, requiring precise coordination for high-altitude shots amid the venue's operational constraints. Cinematographer David Hennings employed techniques to highlight the vibrant nightlife and neon glow of , utilizing the city's real environments for dynamic visuals in party and ensemble scenes. wrapped without reported major delays, allowing the film to proceed to ahead of its November 2013 release.

Release

Premiere

The film had its premiere on October 29, 2013, at the Ziegfeld Theatre in , attended by stars including , , , and . It subsequently served as the opening film of the 31st Torino Film Festival in on November 22, 2013, marking an early international screening ahead of broader European distribution. Last Vegas received a wide theatrical release in the United States on November 1, 2013, distributed by CBS Films. The international rollout commenced in late 2013, with early releases in markets such as Hungary and Israel on October 31, followed by wider availability in Europe—for instance, Germany on November 14 and France on November 27—extending into early 2014 in the United Kingdom (January 3) and Australia (January 2). Domestic distribution was managed by CBS Films, while international rights were handled by a network of local distributors including Alfa Films in Argentina and 9ers Entertainment in South Korea. The film earned a PG-13 rating from the Motion Picture Association of America for sexual content and language. With a running time of 104 minutes, Last Vegas was released in standard 2D format across all markets.

Marketing and distribution

The campaign for Last Vegas emphasized the film's and its lighthearted take on friendship and adventure in , positioning it as a for mature audiences seeking nostalgic . Trailers highlighted the stars' chemistry through scenes of comedic mishaps and glamorous , with the first official trailer debuting online in May 2013 and subsequent versions, including an extended cut, released in July. These were distributed across digital platforms like and in theaters starting in October 2013 to build anticipation ahead of the release. The primary , "It's going to be legendary," underscored the theme of lifelong friends seizing one final epic weekend. Promotional efforts targeted older demographics through targeted TV advertising, including spots on networks like , which aired in late 2013 to capitalize on the film's production by . These ads focused on the cast's star power and the film's relatable humor about aging gracefully, with placements designed to reach viewers over 50 via broadcast and cable outlets. Partnerships included product integrations with venues, notably the Resort & Casino, which served as a key filming location and was showcased in trailers and posters to evoke the city's allure; this collaboration indirectly boosted local tourism by featuring real Strip landmarks. Merchandise such as character posters drew visual inspiration from the era, mirroring the film's plot nods to mid-century Vegas icons like Sinatra and his contemporaries. Distribution was managed domestically by , with international rights sold to over 50 territories through a network of local partners, including Distribution in , Universum Film in , and Alfa Films in , enabling wide theatrical rollouts in , Asia, , and beyond. While the campaign generated buzz through cast interviews and screenings, it faced minor for elements of age-related humor in promotional materials, which some viewed as reinforcing stereotypes; responded by emphasizing the film's celebratory tone toward enduring friendships.

Reception

Critical response

Upon its release, Last Vegas garnered mixed reviews from critics, who appreciated the star power but found the execution uneven. On , it holds a 45% approval rating based on 142 reviews, with an score of 5.4/10; the site's critics consensus states, "The cast of Last Vegas keep things amiably watchable, but the film is mostly a mellower retread for the older set." On , the film earned a weighted of 48 out of 100 based on 34 critics, signifying "mixed or reviews." Audience reception was more favorable, with a 59% score on from over 50,000 ratings. Critics frequently praised the effortless chemistry among the lead actors—Michael Douglas, Robert De Niro, Morgan Freeman, and Kevin Kline—which lent authenticity to the portrayal of lifelong friendship and added warmth to the ensemble dynamics. The film's heartfelt moments addressing aging, mortality, and personal reinvention were highlighted as effective, providing emotional depth amid the comedy. Mary Steenburgen's supporting turn as a vibrant lounge singer received particular acclaim for her scene-stealing presence, sharp comic timing, and ability to inject energy into the narrative. However, the screenplay faced criticism for its formulaic structure and predictable bachelor party setup, which relied on familiar tropes without innovation, leading to uneven pacing and humor that felt tame. Many reviewers compared it unfavorably to The Hangover, viewing it as a less edgy, geriatric riff on similar Vegas antics that prioritized sentiment over sharp wit. Some noted the film's occasional reliance on stereotypes of elderly men behaving immaturely, which contributed to awkward or "toe-curling" moments. The balance between comedy and sentimentality divided opinions, with the earnest exploration of male bonding often undermined by clichéd execution. Notable reviews included of RogerEbert.com, who awarded 2.5 out of 4 stars, commending the film's low-key charm and the actors' ability to elevate sentimental material. Variety described it as a "wan, Geritol-powered clone" that was amiable yet ultimately forgettable, though Steenburgen provided a standout spark. The Guardian's Mike McCahill called it "sometimes toe-curling entertainment" reliant on its veteran cast to carry improbable scenarios. The film received no major awards or nominations, such as at the Golden Globes, though earned a 2013 EDA Special Mention Award from the for his performance. Post-release retrospectives have occasionally revisited it as an underrated ensemble comedy for its nostalgic appeal, including a surge in viewership on in 2024, where it ranked in the platform's Global Top 10 with 7.2 million viewing hours for the week of October 2–8.

Box office

Last Vegas had a production budget of $28 million. The film grossed $63.9 million in the United States and and $70.5 million in other territories, for a worldwide total of $134.4 million. In its opening weekend of November 1–3, , the film earned $16.3 million from 3,065 theaters in , placing second at the behind . It demonstrated strong legs over the holiday, contributing to its domestic performance amid family-oriented viewings during the season. However, competition from blockbusters such as , which opened later in November, curtailed its theatrical longevity. Internationally, the film saw robust results in select markets, including $11.5 million in the and $6.1 million in . Performance was weaker in , with markets like generating just $1.2 million, reflecting limited appeal in regions less attuned to American ensemble comedies centered on aging friendships. Overall, these figures marked the film as ' highest-grossing release to date, ensuring profitability bolstered by ancillary revenue streams. In comparison to similar ensemble comedies, such as the 2017 remake of —which earned $85.2 million worldwide on a $25 million budget—Last Vegas achieved superior returns.

Post-release

Home media

The home video release of Last Vegas began with its DVD and Blu-ray debut on January 28, 2014, distributed by in a combo pack format including both formats. The edition featured an audio commentary track with director and writer , as well as deleted scenes and a making-of . Digital downloads became available shortly before the physical release, with the film offered for purchase on platforms such as and starting in early 2014. No 4K UHD version has been released to date. For streaming, Last Vegas was added to in 2015 but has since rotated in and out of availability; it joined HBO Max (now Max) in 2021. As of 2025, the film is accessible on Paramount+ and available for rent or purchase on . Home video sales were strong in the first year, with approximately 511,179 DVD units sold during , generating over $9 million in revenue, while digital views provided additional long-tail earnings. No special collector's editions bundling the soundtrack with the video release were produced, though the original motion picture soundtrack by was issued separately on CD. Accessibility features on the home media versions include standard closed captions for the deaf and hard of hearing, with audio descriptions available on select digital and streaming platforms to support visually impaired viewers.

Soundtrack and music

The original score for Last Vegas was composed by , known for his work on films like Rushmore and Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs. Mothersbaugh's score blends easy-listening elements with orchestral arrangements, capturing the nostalgic vibe of nightlife and the era while incorporating modern twists to suit the film's comedic tone. The composition process began in in July 2013, with Mothersbaugh drawing inspiration from classic Vegas swing and big-band sounds to underscore emotional and humorous beats. The film features several licensed songs that enhance its musical landscape, including standards performed diegetically by characters. Key tracks include Mary Steenburgen's renditions of "" and "Only You," which highlight her character's lounge singer persona, as well as "You're Nobody 'Til Somebody Loves You" also sung by Steenburgen. Other notable licensed songs comprise "" by and "" by , with licensing handled through labels such as Elektra Entertainment and . Non-diegetic cues from Mothersbaugh's score provide atmospheric support for transitions and emotional moments, while diegetic performances, such as group singing in club settings, integrate seamlessly with the narrative's Vegas setting. Post-production audio mixing, including the score and songs, was finalized ahead of the film's 2013 release. The official , Last Vegas (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack), was released on October 29, 2013, by Records and features 25 tracks primarily from Mothersbaugh's score, alongside select vocal performances by Steenburgen. The emphasizes the film's homage to mid-20th-century and without achieving major awards recognition for its . As of 2025, the soundtrack remains available on major streaming platforms including and , with no significant remasters or new editions reported.

References

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