Most of us have never been to Las Vegas, but it’s one of those places we feel as though we know. This isn’t surprising given the hundreds of movies that have been set in this iconic city. Of course, Las Vegas is the Mecca of gambling, which means this theme features heavily on the big screen; however, there are some other Las Vegas classics that also deserve a mention.
The Hangover
Featuring Bradley Cooper, Ed Helms and Zach Galifianakis, The Hangover is undoubtedly one of the best comedy movies set in Las Vegas. This box office smash hit is the story of three friends that wake up from a bachelor party with no memory of the night before. They then go on a race-against-time hunt for the missing groom, who is due to get married the following day. This movie will have you in stitches as the trio piece together the events of what happened, but do they make it to the church on time? We’ll let you watch it to find out.
Rain Man
When you think of the greatest movies of all time, Rain Man often pops into the conversation. Starring Tom Cruise and Dustin Hoffman, the film tells the story of Charlie Babbitt (Cruise), who finds out that a $3 million family inheritance has been left to his long-lost brother Raymond (Hoffman), who is an autistic savant. Charlie tricks Raymond out of the mental institution where he is being cared for, and they set off on a cross-country road-trip. This is when Charlie discovers Raymond’s special mental calculator talents. With Charlie being chased by debt collectors, the pair end up in Vegas and hit the blackjack tables in the hope Raymond can win by counting cards.
Ocean’s Eleven
Even with the massive growth of online poker sites and casinos, nothing can eclipse Magical Las Vegas with the MGM Grand, the Bellagio and the Mirage. It’s these three iconic casinos that were the setting for Ocean’s Eleven. The ensemble cast of George Clooney, Brad Pitt, Julia Roberts, and Matt Damon, among others, tells the story of Danny Ocean’s (Clooney) daring $160 million heist from Vegas casino owner Terry Benedict, who is in a relationship with Ocean’s ex-wife, who is played by Julia Roberts.
What Happens in Vegas
‘What happens in Vegas, stays in Vegas’ or does it? Admittedly, the whole of this movie is not set in Las Vegas, but it still deserves a mention – simply because it’s a fun film. The main stars are Joy (Cameron Diaz) and Jack (Ashton Kutcher) who end up getting married after a wild drunken night in Sin City. The next morning they agree it was a mistake and decide to divorce, but not before Jack puts a quarter that Joy gave him in a slot machine and hits a $3 million jackpot.
Still intent on divorcing, they go to court, but the judge rules they cannot do so until they’ve attempted to live together for 6 months. Lots of cunning schemes and pranks follow; however, the two slowly begin to fall for each other. Do they end up getting a divorce, or will they live happily ever after?
