Lou “Easy” Evans is not a very talented singer, but he has Swagger and Pizzaz and Panache, and a real gift to choose the songs he crowns on various small scenes around the slightly scuzzier side of Las Vegas. Small bars and Iffy lounges and beaten casinos are his domain, and set lists full of positive jams (Whitney Houston and Stevie Nicks, Mike and Mechanics and Pat Benatar, Oh My!) Turned into real heartbeat is his currency.
Being the biggest star on the strip has never been his goal, but he would certainly like the opportunity not to feel like such a loser all the time, not having to scrape after each penny. And in Vegas? That kind of optimism – “I would like a paid credit card bill!” – is a responsibility.
It’s “another magical day here in Las Vegas, Nevada” When Nic Pizzolatto is surprisingly low key The function’s directorial debut “Easy’s Waltz” opens, even if you would not know it from the Evans brothers. Simple (Vince Vaughn) is on the way to another Throwaway show with its band, The Gifters, in a “budget-friendly” center of Vegas Joint. Sam (Simon Rex) has leaned to a weak bar, rather than doing his actual job (handles simple and other local acts), and his eyes light up when he discovers a beautiful crazy (Kate Mara as Lucy) across the road.
And while, as Sam tells, “The first rule is to know when to leave the damn casino,” it doesn’t seem to happen to any of Evans men. In a city with people who always hope for the next big point, they are no different than anyone else, but time ends, patience carries thinly and something has to change. The seem, it seems, must turn. Right? Talk about a game.
Despite the severe sounding set of pizzolatto film (He also wrote the film’s script), “Easy’s Waltz” is not almost as beaten as most people can expect From the guy behind “True Detective,” But grinding it in Vegas is never a walk in the park. Not so dark – or deep feeling – As last year’s “Beloved star takes a Vibe shift in a Vegas-Set drama,” What “Easy’s Waltz” has in common with the Pamela Anderson vehicle is obviously enough: a solid turn from her star. Vaughn pours into the role, but he also seems to understand that it is a mistake to go big and broad for this. Easy is not a caricature, although the people and the events around him are increasingly feeling that way.
When Easy captures the local boss’s eye (and much, much more) Mickey Albano (a well -cast al Pacino), his star is suddenly on the way up. Mickey book him to a residence at the fucking Wynn casino and passes the whole thing as part of his newfound interest in giving back to the little people, not his bonely interest in looking for himself. Moves are abundant: Mickey is also kind with Lucy, which Sam does not pretend to know, just because he has good sense not to show Mickey all his cards. And when SAM cooking up a truly stupid system to earn some quick cash, there is some doubt that a heavy one like Mickey will not like it.
How easily lacks in obvious vocal ability – Although everyone around him, especially Sam, is always quick to remind him that he is the best singer in town – He compensates more than with flash. But that kind of flash is not the most natural fit for pizzolatto, whose own sensitivity seems to be in violation of history. Tonal differences are often offered, with pizzolators that go for darker things (someone will break the legs, sigh!) And Vaughn infuses the whole thing with non-stop, Hangdog charm. Simple is the kind of guy who sings “The Little Drummer Boy” as if it is the saddest song in the world, but it is not good enough for pizzolator, who chooses to shoot that performance in black and white, why not.
Despite the various dramas that swirl around this group of the Vegas local population and Wannabes, “Easy’s Waltz” winds to the majority of its real punch, with its site that only kicks in long past its halfway brand. Then Easy has become a viral hit, Sam has dug himself too deeply, and Mickey itches to show his real colors. The audience can almost be eager To hear a classic limbrea threat then, because far too much of this has been, yes, a little too easy to go down.
Rating: B-
“Easy’s Waltz” premiered at the Toronto International Film Festival 2025. It is currently seeking US distribution.
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