Risky Business

There are too many reviews of Risky Business for mine to have any relevance as a movie review. However, this movie is for me a time capsule of the era I saw it in, and a photograph of the future to come in American culture.

I saw this movie when I was 22 in a tiny college theater with a date. I remember several disconnected things about it: The movie was much more interesting than my date was, the music by Tangerine Dream was hypnotic and fit the tone of the film, which struck me as being more depressing in places than funny (although there are some funny moments in it), and it gave me a glimpse into a world that I thought was fictional. It turned out I hadn't experienced the world it was presenting yet. When Cruise asks his friends what they plan to do with their lives, one's answer is very simple and focused: "Make money". Another friend adds: "Make a LOT of money".

It turns out the movie was precognizant of the next ten to twenty years of American culture; the absolute obsession with making money through any means necessary, legally or illegally, regardless of consequences to yourself or others. Then taking that money and buying the things that will make you happy: a porsche, a big house, and most importantly, a hot babe in your bed, that will only be there as long as the money is. Internally discovered happiness? A quaint notion created by the poor who can't afford the toys that validate your existence.

I am sure that the filmmaker would be the first to say that the movie parodies the hollowness of the "American Dream" of acquiring wealth to buy creature comforts, but too much of the time it feels like it celebrates them. At the end, the hooker stays Cruise's girlfriend only as long as he continues to make her money; she even says "I'll be your girlfriend...for a while". Real loyalty there. But then, she is a hooker, and is being honest. She in fact is presented as the only person in the film that is not a hypocrite. She has no illusions that money & sex make the American world go 'round, and doesn't pretend herself to be otherwise; unlike Cruise and the rest of his friends. In the end however, she is still hollow, the values the kids pursue are hollow (they are only after sex, not love), and the movie feels as deep and solid as a glossy magazine ad for a Lexus.

Even over the obsession of greed, however, the film illustrates the complete alienation of the modern American teenage male: alone, isolated, judged by his peers with the kind of car his dad lets him drive, his clothes, and whether he can get laid or not. The emphasis is on sex, not relationship. There is no rite of passage into adulthood, no guidance from parents who more often than not are as distant from their children as the cardboard cutout parents in this film.

In short, as depressing as this film is when you step back from it, it paints a frighteningly accurate portrait of how superficial and narrow a world, yet directionless (except for accumulating superficial wealth) a young boy's world can be. There are no values taught in this film, because there are none available as examples. And that is the environment too many kids are subject to. That is what was so disturbing to me about the film at the time I saw it, yet it took 20 years to understand why (as I was, like most kids my age, in the same vacuous and bankrupt culture this kid was in at the time).

There are 300% more suicides committed by 14 year old boys in America than any other age group or category. This movie explains why.

Seven stars, not for humor, but for photographing the beginning of an era that lasts until this day. The message from Enron, WorldCom, Martha Stewart and others for American kids will be: Don't get caught. A message which is slowly becoming the only "moral direction" left in American culture.

Starring in the role that made him a household name, Tom Cruise leads this classic 80s film that ended up being a lot darker and profound than I expected. This isn't your typical teen sex comedy from the 80s. There's a lot of pointed commentary on capitalism, teen fantasy, and coming of age. Rebecca De Mornay is perfectly cast as the alluring, enigmatic call girl Cruise becomes entwined with and is instantly memorable in the role. Risky Business has a lot more to say than you might think and is worth checking out some 40 years later.

Most funny comedies aren't very smart. They're funny because of individual jokes that play by themselves, without relying on the overall plot. Risky Business is an exception and the reason why it works so well, is because it tells a simple story that could really happen and would also be a lot of fun. Youre a high school kid, your parents go on vacation for a week, leaving you the whole house to yourself. That's the setup. A friend calls up a call girl, she shows up, and the entertainment begins. This movie is smart enough to know what kids think about at that age, sex, and it holds nothing back. It is very clever at times and has a strong character in Joel, played by a young, energetic Tom Cruise. Another thing that this movie understands is mood and tempo. Everything hits the right beat. Smart and funny is an ideal combination and this movie achieves it.

Risky Business, directed by Paul Brickman, stands as an iconic cinematic representation of the 1980s. From its captivating storyline to its immersive atmosphere, the movie delves into the ambitions, dreams, and complexities of that transformative era. Tom Cruise's performance as the shy teenage protagonist is nothing short of brilliant, and the contributions of Rebecca DeMornay and Curtis Armstrong further elevate this nostalgic gem.

Set against the backdrop of Chicago, Risky Business captures the essence of the decade-the relentless pursuit of money and the American dream, and the longing to become someone to be proud of. The movie's exploration of these themes strikes a chord with audiences, echoing the societal aspirations of the time.

One remarkable aspect that distinguishes Risky Business is its hypnotic score by Tangerine Dream. The music weaves seamlessly into the narrative, enhancing the film's atmosphere and creating an ethereal experience. The score, arguably one of the most mesmerizing in '80s cinema (if not any film), adds an extra layer of allure to the story, leaving a lasting impression on the viewer.

Although Risky Business defies easy categorization, it effortlessly blends elements of comedy and drama. The movie unfolds like a dream, taking us on a journey filled with mystery, joy, and occasional fear. This dream-like quality ensures that the film remains etched in our memories long after the credits roll.

Tom Cruise's portrayal of the young protagonist, Joel Goodson, is a standout. He masterfully captures the transformation from an introverted teenager to a self-assured young man navigating the complexities of life. Cruise's performance resonates with authenticity and depth, earning him well-deserved praise.

Rebecca DeMornay and Curtis Armstrong also deliver commendable performances. DeMornay's portrayal of Lana, the enigmatic and seductive call girl, adds an intriguing layer to the storyline, while Armstrong's character provides moments of comic relief, perfectly balancing the film's tone.

Critics who solely focus on the perceived lack of morality in Risky Business miss the point of the film. The characters portrayed are not without morals; they are flawed individuals, like everyone else. They strive for success, yearn for love, and navigate the complexities of life just as we all do. Their actions, while potentially questionable, do not cause harm to others. The movie, rather than condoning or condemning their choices, provides a nuanced exploration of human desires and the consequences they entail.

Risky Business is, in many ways, a feel-good movie. It leaves audiences with a sense of joy and nostalgia, transporting them to the energetic and optimistic atmosphere of the '80s. The film invites us to indulge in a world of possibilities, where dreams are pursued and ambitions are chased. It encapsulates the spirit of the era, igniting a sense of hope and excitement within viewers.

In conclusion, Risky Business is more than a mere coming-of-age tale; it is a mesmerizing journey that allows us to immerse ourselves in the spirit of the '80s. The movie skillfully captures the hopes, dreams, and desires of the era, resonating with viewers who experienced or long for that distinctive time. With its rich storyline, memorable performances, unforgettable score, and feel-good atmosphere, Risky Business is a cinematic experience that lingers long after the screen fades to black. It reminds us of the power of dreams, the complexities of human nature, and the joy that can be found in the pursuit of success.

Rebecca De Mornay at 21 is fabulous as the savvy call girl for any teen boy to die for -- or for that matter any red blooded male of any age. She enters the film gliding silently into the back yard entrance of his parent's off-the-lake Chicago house, and after speaking only a few words, something like "are you ready for me Joel", artistically slips off her demure little slip of a dress, back arched to him, one leg kneeled in the window seat, presses her bottom into him, silently invites him to take her, and then turns, melts into him, kissing him in apparent yielding passion. This is immediately followed by cut scenes to multiple positions in multiple locations around the house. It's a perfect male fantasy of what paid for wild but romantic sex might be like (however unrealistic). It's also undoubtedly Joel's (Cruse's) first time. What an initiation.

The movie never gets that hot again (although the scene enacting Lana's "thing about trains" gets close). But it does become increasingly interesting as a first rate coming of age flick. Actually, it's a bit more than that. It explores the tension between the self disciplined deferred gratification he and has friends have all been taught they need for upper middle class success, versus the let loose sexual and other risk taking he knows is out there, some other people are doing, and wishes he could get away with. How far can a nice upper middle class boy go without throwing it all away? That risky business is what the film is all about.

Tom Cruz is perfect as the dutiful but less than gifted "future enterpriser" high school senior who's always had to work a little harder and stick more to the straight and narrow to try to live up to his parents' expectations -- without quite getting there. Although he was about the same age as De Mornay when they made the film, Cruz looks and acts a thoroughly convincing boyish 16 or 17. De Mornay's Lana is an iconic bad girl hooker of the naturally toney and perhaps feeling variety -- although about the last we're never entirely sure. She remains ultimately an enigma, beyond Cruz's and our full grasp, but not beyond his connecting with. Sadly, her first major role was probably her best -- although certainly not her only good one.

Cruz may be "on the right track", but it's De Mornay's Lana who knows everything about sex, life, taking risks, and living on the edge. She seduces Cruz into turning his parents' home into a bordello, to tap the money to be made by mingling his kind of friends with her kind of friends for a night, while she is hiding out from her "manager", and he has been left to "act responsibly" while his parents are away on a business trip. The scene where the Princeton alumnus interviewer, whom his dad has contacted to try to help finesse his "not quite Ivy League transcript", comes to the house to interview Cruz on the night the bordello party is in full swing, is deliciously funny and at the same time full of nervous tension. Cruz's character is on the brink of disaster, and then in fact clearly has thrown away a good part of his future opportunities -- or has he?

It's a delicious movie -- especially for males raised in seriously high academic achievement oriented families. Every good boy would love to call a Lana sometime -- and get away with it.