Vince Vaughn in Nic Pizzolatto’s Las Vegas Film – ryan
Lou “Easy” Evans isn’t a Particularly Gifted Singer, But He’s Got Swagger and Pizzaz and A Real Gift for Chooking the Songs he croons on various stages around the slightly scuzzier side of la ves. Tiny Bars and iffy Lounges and Downbeat Casinos Are His Domain, and Set Lists Full of Upbeat Jams (Whitney Houston and Stevie Nicks, Mike and The Mechanics and Pat Benatar, Oh my!) TURNED INTO real heartbreakers.
Being the Biggest Star on the Strip Has Never Been His Goal, But He’d Sure Like the Opportunity to Not Feel Like Such A Laser All the Time, not to have to scrape by fore every penny. And in vegas? That kind of optimism — “I’d like to have a paid off Credit Bill!” — is a liability.
It ‘another magical day here in la vegas, nevada “when nic pizzolatto’s surprisisly low-key feature directory” Easy’s Waltz “opens, THOUGH YOU WOULDN’T KNOW IT FROM The Evans Brother. Easy (Vince vaughn) is gearing up for another isother thrifters, the grifters, in a “budget-free” downtown vegas. Sam (Simon Rex) Has Slinked off to a dim Bar, Rather Than Doing His Actual Job (MANAGING EASY AND OTHER LOCAL ACTS), and HIS EYES LIGHT UP HE SPOTS A PRETY GAL (KATE MARA AS LUCY) ACOSS The Way.
And while, as Sam Tells it, “The Number One Rule is to Know to Leave the Fucing Casino,” that dosesn’t to be happy for the evans. In a city of People always hoping for the next big score, they’re no different than anyone else, but time is running out, patience is wearing thin, and something to change. Their Luck, IT SEEMS, HAS TO Turn. Right? Talk About a Gamble.
Despite the direct Set-up of Pizzolatto’s Film, “Easy’s Waltz” isn’t nearly as downbeat as might expert from the guy “true detective,” but out in veste Swim nearly as dinner — or deep-feeling — AS LAST YEAR’S “Beloved Star Takes on a Vibe Shift in a Vegas-Set Drama,“ What “Easy’s Waltz” has in Common with That Pamela Anderson Vehicle is Obivious Enough: A Solid Turn From Its Star. Vaughn pours Himself into the roles, but he also seers to understand that going big and broad for this one is a misstep. Easy isn’t a caricuree, this if the People and Events Around Him Increasingly Feel That Way.
When Easy Catches the Eye of Local Manager (and Much, Much More) Mickey Albano (A well-Cast al Pacino), His Star Is Suddenly on the Rise. Mickey Books Him Into A Resididcy at the Swanky Wynn Casino, Passing the Thing off as part of his newfound interest in giving back to the Little People, swiming his-deep interest in look out for Himself. Entanglements Abound: Mickey is Also Friendly with Lucy, WHOM Sam pretends not to know, if only becase he got the good sense to show Mickey all his cards. And when Sam Sam Cooks up a Truly Stupid Scheme to Make Some Quick Cash, there’s Little Doubt a Heavy Like Mickey isn’t Going to Like it.
What Easy Lacks Up for In Obvious Vocal Ability — though everyone around Him, especally sam, is always quick to remind Him he’s the best in town — He more than makes up for with flash. But that sort of flash is not the natural fit for pizzolatto, whose ownsititi seems to be at Odds with the story at hand. Tonal disparieties are offen on offfer, with pizzolatto going for Darker Stuff (someone is gonna break your legs, sucka!) And vaughn infusing the thing with non-stop, Hangdog charm. Easy is the Kind of dude who single “The Little Drummer Boy” Like the Saddest Song in the World, But That Not Good Enough for Pizzolatto, WHO OPTS THAT SPEAKING IN BLOCK AND WHITE.
Despite the various drama that swirl around this group of vegas locals and walnabes, “Easy’s Waltz” Meanders Toward the Bulk of Its Real Punch, with itis full kicking in long past it halfway. Byn, Easy has Become a viral hit, Sam has dug himself in way too Too deep, and Mickey is itching to show his true colors. Audiences Might Almost EU eager to Hear a Classic Limb-Breaking Threat by, Because Far too much of this hay, well, a bit too going down.
Grade: b-
“Easy’s Waltz” Premiered at the 2025 Toronto International Film Festival. It is currently seeking us distribution.
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