Risky Business (1983)

Director: Paul Brickman
Writer: Paul Brickman
Stars: Tom Cruise, Rebecca De Mornay, Joe Pantoliano
IMDb Rating: 6.8/10




Risky Business is just one of those movies that never gets old. I can't even imagine how many times I've seen it, but the plight of Joel and his friends never seems to grow tiresome. For a supposed comedy, Risky Business has always played out more like a drama for me. Joel is constantly threatened by Lana, her pimp Guido (Joe Pantoliano), the fear of his parent's return to town, his teachers and administrators at school, potential failure at getting into a good college - - the list goes on. To say that Joel's situation is a nightmare would be an understatement. At any rate, I'm trying to tread lightly with plot details for the film as one of its great joys is in experiencing just how this mess of a situation finds resolution.

Risky Business marked Tom Cruise's first starring film role and it's easy to see why the film propelled him to almost instant stardom. He's great in the role and plays Joel in a manner that really underscores how this terminally naïve teenager undergoes such a rapid transformation. Rebecca De Mornay is also quite good as Lana, portraying someone both alluring and scarily street smart. Her exact motives are never made perfectly clear in the film and she is the movie's biggest question mark. I've also always enjoyed the performance from Curtis Hanson as Joel's obnoxious friend Miles. I'm sure many of you will remember Mr. Hanson from his work as the legendary "Booger" in Revenge of the Nerds. Also worth noting, is an early appearance from Bronson Pinchot, who would later go on to a successful career on television's "Perfect Strangers." The most sinister character in Risky Business is easily Guido, Lana's pimp and the architect of Joel's strife in the film. Pantoliano plays Guido with a playful glee and seems to really enjoy terrorizing a rich-kid suburbanite. I'd be doing Risky Business a severe disservice if I didn't mention the film's terrific score from Tangerine Dream. It as unique as film music gets and adds a haunting element to what unfolds on screen.

Seeing Risky Business for the first time in years was an instant reminder of why this film has achieved the label of being a classic. It's terrifically entertaining, genuinely suspenseful and one of a kind. I highly recommend Risky Business.



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