Last Vegas, released in theaters on November 1, 2013, invites four lifelong friends – Billy (Michael Douglas), Paddy (Robert De Niro), Archie (Morgan Freeman), and Sam (Kevin Kline) – to trade retirement routines for a weekend of high jinks in Sin City.
The catalyst is Billy’s sudden engagement to his much younger girlfriend, an announcement that prompts the group to reunite for a bachelor party decades in the making.
Their reunion, however, brings not only the promise of adventure but also the baggage of old wounds, unfinished business, and buried secrets.
From the Florida retirement village to the gleaming casinos of the Las Vegas Strip, the film finds humor and warmth in their culture clash with glitzy modern Vegas. Archie throws caution (and his pension) to the wind at the blackjack tables, Sam tries to spice up his marriage—with his wife’s permission—and Billy and Paddy struggle to mend a friendship scarred by loss.
Joining them is Diana (Mary Steenburgen), a soulful lounge singer who gives the men a new perspective, while Jerry Ferrara, Romany Malco, Bre Blair and Michael Ealy round out the supporting cast.
Director Jon Turteltaub crafts the film as an ensemble comedy with a heart, balancing raucous mishaps—nightclubs, swimsuit contests, wild parties—with honest conversations about aging, grief, and love.
The chemistry among the leads, all screen legends in their own right, gives every gag real warmth.
The emotional core is the rekindling of friendship: Billy and Paddy’s years-old quarrel gradually finds closure, while Archie and Sam each find the courage to make the most of their golden years.
Morgan Freeman, Michael Douglas, Robert De Niro and Kevin Kline in Last Vegas (Photo/CBS Films)
Reception for Last Vegas
Last Vegas grossed $16.3 million on its opening weekend, finishing third at the box office.
The film would gross $134.4 million worldwide.
Legacy
Last Vegas was often compared to a senior-citizen riff on The Hangover, but its tone is less cynical and more affectionate.
Over the years, it has earned appreciation as a rare Hollywood film centering on older protagonists with both humor and dignity.
For audiences, its legacy lies in celebrating the enduring bonds of friendship and the idea that it’s never too late for a little fun—or a fresh start. It’s an easygoing, big-hearted comedy whose cast makes even the wildest Vegas night feel genuinely sweet.
