While Honeymoon in Vegas is far from structural perfection, it’s quite funny (especially if you’re an Elvis Presley fan). With a wonderfully bizarre Nicolas Cage kvetching his way through the story, Honeymoon doesn’t pretend to be anything other than the goofy piece of fun it is.
Writer/director Andrew Bergman (Fletch, The Freshman), whom New York magazine once dubbed “The Unknown King of Comedy,” wrote the original screenplay (titled Tex X) that served as the basis for Mel Brooks’s classic Blazing Saddles, and was among the co-writers who adapted it into its final state. It’s safe to say he has a somewhat unorthodox take of the world that lends itself to some funny moments.
In Honeymoon in Vegas, Jack Singer’s (Cage) formidable mother (Anne Bancroft), on her deathbed, makes him promise never to marry. Fast forward several years, and the promise is still gnawing at him. It doesn’t help matters that he’s a detective, trailing cheating husbands. Jack has been dating Betsy (Sarah Jessica Parker) for quite awhile, and feels she’s the love of his life. Yet, due to lingering mommy issues, he hasn’t been able to fully commit to the relationship. Betsy is growing tired of waiting to marry. Pressured, Jack suggests they do the marital deed in Las Vegas, the marriage capital of the world.
Enter wealthy professional gambler, Tommy Korman (James Caan). In Betsy, he sees the ghost of his beloved late wife. With Jack still nervous about marriage, Tommy senses an opportunity. Inviting Jack (an avid poker player) to a card game, he pulls the unsuspecting detective into a $65,000 deficit. Jack doesn’t have the money to pay up. But, Tommy has what he believes to be the perfect solution; let Betsy spend the weekend with him.
The outraged Betsy refuses, but when it’s clear there’s no other way out (and that Tommy will keep his paws off her), she reluctantly agrees. Once Caan’s Tommy takes Betsy on an all expense paid vacation in Hawaii, Betsy, not exactly the model of fidelity sees some redeeming traits in the gambler and starts to second guess her relationship with Jack. This development makes the neurotic Jack positively desperate.
Tommy’s success with Betsy is more attributable to Bergman’s schemes than believability. However, the best part of Honeymoon in Vegas is the insane amount of stuff going on around the characters. Las Vegas is hosting a convention of Elvis Presley impersonators when Jack and Betsy arrive. During the poker game, a Japanese “Elvis” is sitting in. When a massive jackpot remains, with only Cage and Caan to fight over it, the Asian crooner sings: “Wise men say, only fools rush in . . .”
As far as the main players are concerned, Jack is the most interesting as he undergoes the most agonizing test of his life. We watch him as he deals with the very real possibility of losing the love of his life. He plays the unbalanced neurotic very well. While Honeymoon in Vegas isn’t a comedy classic, it will definitely illicit a few laughs from most viewers.
This 1.85:1 1080p transfer is one of the most up and down transfers of recent memory. The film has problems with grain fluctuation, as some sequences are clear, and others have detail obscured by the grain. Dirt specks and scratches are easily seen, and some shots are incredibly hazy. Skintones can randomly go purple and orange, never looking really natural. Black levels are inconsistent. This is better than any previous DVD release, but it’s far from reference quality.
The DTS-HD Master Audio 2.0 mix provided on this Blu-ray is quite serviceable. Fidelity is excellent, with both dialogue and the ubiquitous song underscore offered with sparkling clarity and excellent dynamic range. However, there’s no directionality. Even so, the mix is cleverly handled, with excellent balance between dialogue, music and effects.
The only special feature is a Theatrical Trailer (HD; 2:10).
