HONEYMOON IN VEGAS

US, 1992, 96 minutes, Colour.
Nicolas Cage, James Caan, Sarah Jessica Parker, Anne Bancroft, Peter Boyle, Pat Morita.
Directed by Andrew Bergman,

Honeymoon in Vegas is a screwball comedy, '90s style. It was written and directed by Andrew Bergman, writer and/or director of such films as Blazing Saddles, The In- Laws, So Fine. It has the raucous touch as well as relying on the traditions of the screwball comedy.

Nicholas Cage does his best in a zany comedy role and has the chance to imitate Elvis (which he did in a different style in Wild at Heart). Sarah Jessica Parker is the put-upon heroine. James Caan is a self-centred gambler thug. The supporting cast includes Pat Morita, Peter Boyle (fairly well disguised as Chief on Hawaii) and a moment from Anne Bancroft as Nicholas Cage's demanding mother.

The film was popular in the United States - it seems rather loud and raucous for comedy styles for other cultures. It also echoes the permissive styles of the '90s (and has a lot in common with Adrian Lyons' Indecent Proposal).

1.The continued popularity of screwball comedies? Their zany characters and styles? Heroines on the run? The touch of the gangster? Adapted for the '90s? The characters, situations, glitzy style, issues?

2.The film and the Las Vegas glitter, the contrast with Hawaii? The locations and their atmosphere? Action sequences - especially with the Flying Elvis Troupe?

3.Elvis alive! Elvis as King! The popularity of Elvis, the humorous collage of impersonations (range and race)? The Flying Elvis Troupe? The use of Presley songs, the range of singers and their renditions?

4.Jack Singer, hero, as a type hero from an Elvis Presley movie of the past, and finally impersonating him?

5.Jack, his work, lack of success? The intensity of his mother warning him never to marry? His love for Betsy, making a decision, proposing to get married in Las Vegas?

6.Betsy, her love for Jack - and her wariness of Jack's mother? Her wanting a white Las Vegas wedding? Dressed in white throughout the film?

7.Tommy Korman, the professional gambler, his entourage? The memories of his dead wife - and Sarah Jessica Parker playing this role? His image of his wife in seeing Betsy? The poker game with Jack, stacking the cards, winning, having Jack in debt, the proposal?

8.Jack and Betsy and the proposal, his worry, Betsy's reaction? Her exasperation, going with Tommy, her motivation?

9.Hawaii, Tommy and his style, wooing her? Betsy and her reaction? The luxury accommodation? The sexual proposal and her reaction? Walking in the mountains - with the touch of slapstick with Tommy falling down the hole...?

10.Jack the investigator, tracking Tommy down, going to Hawaii, the difficulties in locating Betsy? Getting help from Mahi? The driving, the advice? The visit to the Chief? The henchmen protecting Tommy?

11.The effect of the experience on Betsy, the return to Las Vegas?

12.Jack wanting to get back, the Flying Elvis Troupe, in the plane, the free-fall - and the humour on Elvis?

13.The finale, Betsy and the chorus, Jack as Elvis, the landing, Tommy as villain, the chase - and the wedding?

14.The brash and loud humour? The moral of the story?