Because his wife left him and took his son with her, screenwriter Ben Anderson has started drinking, a lot. He's getting more and more isolated and he troubles women in bars because he wants to have sex with them. When he gets fired, he decides to leave everything behind and move to Las Vegas and drink himself to death. In Las Vegas he meets Sera, a prostitute with some problems as well who he moves in with.

Nicolas Cage researched his character by binge drinking and visiting many hospitalized career alcoholics. Elisabeth Shue associated with prostitutes and interviewed them on the strip in Las Vegas.

Ben Sanderson:
I don't know if my wife left me because of my drinking or I started drinking 'cause my wife left me.

Incorrectly regarded as goofs: The level of liquid in Ben's glass when he's packing to move to Sera's place. Ben is emptying bottles in the glass and drinking from it while he packs, which explains the different levels.

Written by Matt Dennis and Earl K. Brent
Performed by Sting
Courtesy of A&M Records, Inc.