| 
 Justin
Sellers, a twenty-two year old college senior attends the
funeral of old friend Daniel Andrews, whom he hasn't seen
since freshman year.
|
He
recognizes another old friend, Martin Cron, who remained best
friends with the deceased classmate. Justin conspires with his
roommate Sam Prescott and former friends Robert Warden and Jim
Vogel to take Martin to Las Vegas the weekend before graduation
to help him get over the pain. |
|
 Tensions
arise on the way to Las Vegas and, once there, Justin is unsuccessful
in getting them to all go out that evening. Later, they manage
to meet at a casino bar where it is revealed that Jim has
dropped out of school after failing an acting class.
|
Desperate to have some fun, Robert and Jim hitch a ride to a
brothel outside Las Vegas. The excursion is a disaster, highlighted
by a nightmarish encounter with an overeager prostitute. They
are robbed of all possessions and hitchhike back to Las Vegas. |
 Meanwhile,
Justin, Sam and Martin go to a nightclub where Justin meets
the girl of his dreams, Marci, while her friend, Amy, puts Sam
in a compromising situation. Sam rejects her aggressive advances,
and she stalks off, taking Marci with her. Justin ignores Martin's
suggestion that he go after Marci. |
Robert and Jim return to the hotel where they reunite with their
friends. Out by the pool, Robert is challenged by the others
about his overconfidence and he reveals his deep insecurities.
Touched by his honesty, the others open up, revealing aspects
of themselves which they have kept hidden. With a new sense
of optimism, all five head out to spend one last great night
in Las Vegas together, but it is cut short by an argument between
Robert and Jim, who walks off. |
 The
remaining four get a last drink in a bar when they notice a
group of security guards running through the casino. In a nearby
ballroom, they find a drunken Jim throwing chairs and cursing
the nervous security guards. Not threatened by security's warning
not to enter, the four guys walk into the ballroom. When Jim
sees them, he begins passionately reciting Dylan Thomas' "Do
Not Go Gentle into That Good Night." Finally, Jim has succeeded
in doing what he ultimately loves. The four take Jim off the
stage and lead him outside, where they scream and laugh in relief. |
The group readies the van for the ride home. Justin, however,
hesitates for a moment, then bids farewell to his friends. They
understand that he can't let Marci slip away. |
 Justin
heads toward Marci's hotel room. Outside her room, he struggles
with what to say when she opens the door. As the screen fades
to black, we hear the sound of knocking. |
PRODUCTION
NOTES
Format:
35mm
Length: 105 Minutes
Aspect Ratio: 1:1.85
Sound:
Dolby SR
Optical Soundtrack
Principal
Photography:
May 1999
Film
Completion:
January 2000 |
