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Parents' Guide to

Honeymoon in Vegas

By Renee Schonfeld, Common Sense Media Reviewer

age 13+

Dated screwball comedy has sexual situations, profanity.

Movie PG-13 1992 96 minutes
Honeymoon in Vegas Poster Image

A Lot or a Little?

What you will—and won't—find in this movie.

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age 13+

Based on 1 parent review

matthewc
matthewc Adult
March 15, 2019
age 13+

Screwball comedy whose soundtrack is heavily driven with Elvis music.

The story is about a man named Jack Singer (Nicolas Cage) who is terrified of commitment, and promised his mother on her death bed he would never wed. However, this creates a problem for him when his relationship with Betsy Nolan (Sarah Jessica Parker) goes stale. The two decide to tie the knot and go to Las Vegas. While there Jack meets a conniving and charismatic mobster named Tommy Korman (James Caan) who challenges him to a poker game. After losing the game, Jack uses Betsy as collateral and she spends a weekend with Korman. However, Jack doesn't know that Korman schemes to marry Betsy because she resembles his deceased wife. Now Jack must lie, steal and do all kinds of things to win her back. The movie is filled with an abundance of Elvis Presley songs, some are covered by various artists. Contains some sexual references and mild language, best suited for ages 13+.
See all 1 parent review

What's the Story?

When Jack Singer's mom is on her deathbed, she makes her son promise never to marry. Sadly, in HONEYMOON IN VEGAS, Jack (Nicolas Cage), a mildly successful private detective whose specialty is finding cheating spouses, has taken his promise to heart. Though he's found Betsy (Sarah Jessica Parker), who is truly "the one," he simply can't take the next all-important step. Finally, given Betsy's loving ultimatum, he promises to marry her in an impromptu trip to Las Vegas. There, in the middle of a rowdy weekend alive with assorted Elvis Presley impersonators, Jack gets cold feet once again. And, in case he hasn't messed things up enough, Tommy Corman (James Caan), a rich gambler, has spotted Betsy, who looks amazingly like his adored, dead wife. Tommy scopes out the situation and decides to have Betsy for himself. One crooked card game and a losing $65,000 hand later, Jack has been forced to "share" Betsy with Tommy for the weekend -- in all ways but sexually. Betsy is stunned, furious at Jack, and ever so slightly intrigued by Tommy's charisma. From there, it's a free-for-all. A glamorous escape to Hawaii, Jack's countless missteps (including an adventure with an all-Elvis sky-diving crew), along with Tommy's treacherous machinations keep Betsy off-balance and Jack in perennial bonehead mode. Will Jack save her from a fate that he himself has caused? Will Betsy realize she's being taken in by Tommy and escape his clutches by joining a line of Las Vegas chorus girls? Will true love conquer all? You betcha.

Is It Any Good?

Our review:
Parents say (1 ):
Kids say (1 ):

Almost all the screwball comedy ingredients are in place: a fast-paced, farcical plot involving a hoped-for marriage, a divide between the classes, and ridiculous plot turns. Nick Cage and James Caan play the fools well; Sarah Jessica Parker manages to give her character some nuance and genuine feeling (all while looking great in the terrific wardrobe that was chosen for her). Andrew Bergman, the writer-director, uses iconic Elvis songs, covered by some major music stars of the 1990s (Bruce Springsteen, Willie Nelson, Vince Gill, Billy Joel), to underscore the comic moments (for example, "Jailhouse Rock" as Jack spends some time in jail). And while there are some truly funny situations and witty repartee, as well as several terrific cameo performances (Peter Boyle, Pat Morita, Anne Bancroft, among others), they're not enough to sustain the dated plot and the central idea that one man can contract out "possession" of the woman he loves. Bergman had earlier successes with wonderful, character-rich comedies (The In-Laws,The Freshman), but Honeymoon in Vegas doesn't resonate today as those films do. There are funnier and more romantic screwball comedies for families to watch together.

Talk to Your Kids About ...

  • Families can talk about the popularity of Las Vegas as a setting for comedies. How does the city set the tone for this movie? What unique qualities does Las Vegas bring to the screen in terms of color, brightness, sets, costumes, and glamour for any film?

  • Research all the features that combine to make a "screwball" comedy. Which movies have you seen that are included in this genre of movies?

  • Made in 1992, the movie has a premise that a desperate Jack Singer promises Tommy Korman a weekend with Betsy. Do you think this could still be the premise for a comedy made today? Why, or why not?

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