w Editor’s note: This is one in a series of reviews of films either shot on Kauai or connected to Kauai.
“Honeymoon in Vegas” did not win any Oscars. It never had a chance.
But like another movie with scenes filmed here, “Six Days Seven Nights,” it’s a fun, entertaining ride that showcases the beauty of this island and puts a nice light on Hawaii. Sure, the plot is preposterous at times, what goes on is nuts and could only happen in a movie, but in the end, we all love a happy ending, and we get one here.
To summarize, this 1992 film tells the story of Jack (played by Nicholas Cage), his fiancée Betsy (played by Sarah Jessica Parker), and a gambler, Tommy Korman (well-played by James Cann).
In Las Vegas, Jack loses in poker to Korman, and owes him $65,000, which he doesn’t have. Korman, who had previously seen Betsy and thought she looked like his beloved but deceased wife, offers to waive the debt if Betsy will spend a weekend with him. After much anguish, Jack and Betsy agree, and Korman zips her off to Kauai, where he owns a beautiful home and plans to woo her into marrying him. Jack sets out after them.
Some of the scenes here, with Jack trying to figure out how to pronounce “Kapa‘a,” are well worth the price of renting or buying this DVD if you’re from Kauai or have been here. And his efforts to track Betsy down highlight some of Kauai’s famous haunts and, while fairly silly, will leave you smiling.
Pat Morita, as a taxi driver, is a delight.
The Lihue Airport, Waimea, Anini, Kapa‘a and Wilcox Medical Center are some of the sites that flicker across the big screen.
The Anini Beach home featured in this film is pretty spectacular, and if Betsy wasn’t actually in love with Jack, you think she might have accepted Korman’s marriage proposal just for that reason (well, he’s also much older than her).
Good thing she didn’t, though. Korman turns out to be a bit of a crazy thug, and Jack, while a bit of a bungling fool, leaps out of a airplane with the rest of the “Flying Elvises” to save the day and prove his love.
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Bill Buley, editor-in-chief, can be reached at 245-0457 or bbuley@thegardenisland.com.
