Bad Influence (1990)

That was an excellent one.

If you don't like this, we can't be friends.

I don't have all the words right now but this film is a work of art.

This is a coming of age storyline that you've seen in one form or another for decades. It takes a truly unique voice to make yet another one worth watching.

I enjoyed this movie very much, which is why it got seven stars from me, but it's by no means a fantastic or transcendent experience. It does it's job as a thriller ably, and it's worth watching. The good: You do care about the characters, and James Spader and Rob Lowe are both fantastic actors who are on the top of their game here. It's interesting to see Spader play a guy who isn't super cool and self assured for a change, and he handles it well. Lowe channels a bit of Patrick Bateman and creates a great GQ sociopath. The supporting cast is quite good as well, however this could very well have been a two-man film, as you can fit the dialog of all the other characters in the movie combined onto maybe two sheets of paper. The director also had a great eye for style, as the locations, clothing and music were gorgeous and perfectly suited to the era, and gave the film a great deal of authenticity. The bad: I'm not entirely convinced why Spader was so quick to discard his fiancé (who was beautiful, rich and from all indications a very nice person that cared for him a great deal). The film never really sets up any kind of conflict or apprehension between the couple to justify Spader's truly rash behavior. Yes, I get that he wanted a taste of the bad-boy life that Lowe was a part of, but he seemed to throw it all away far too easily and willingly. For the type of character that he was, I'd expect a little more internal conflict, moralizing and apprehension to go along with a decision like that. It just seems like his descent was inexplicably rapid and left a lot of questions unanswered. Beyond that, I think the ending (or last 30 minutes or so) could have been done a little better. The good does really outweigh the bad, and the movie is genuinely worth watching if you're a fan of the genre. Don't expect a Michael Mann film, but you can definitely get some solid entertainment value out of it nonetheless.

"Financial analyst Michael Boll (James Spader) seems to have everything: brains, money, a socially connected fiancée, and a blindingly bright future. Then he meets Alex (Rob Lowe), an impeccably dressed drifter with a fatal charm and an insatiable appetite for wine, women… and danger. Alex befriends Michael and takes him for a walk on the wild side - but Michael soon discovers that there's a terrible price to pay for life in the fast lane, because hanging out with Alex can be murder…" according to the film's official synopsis. "Don't touch that dial!" Christian Clemenson's character is almost a "Pepto-Bismol" anagram.Director Curtis Hanson's "Bad Influence" has been compared to Alfred Hitchcock's "Strangers on a Train" (1951). The plot's comparison to Hitchcock's classic is justifiable, but Mr. Hanson makes "Bad Influence" look much more like "Psycho" (1960). And, this story is clearly Faustian; "Alex" isn't merely psychopathic, he's evil incarnate. The deal Mr. Spader makes with "the Devil" involves help in beating Tony Maggio (as Patterson) out of a promotion at work, and weaseling out of a marriage with Marcia Cross (as Ruth). "Come on down!" The only way "Mick" can defeat "Alex" is to send him plummeting back into the depths of Hell.It's always nice, when watching old movies, to stumble upon an undiscovered jewel, or even a lost masterpiece. "Bad Influence" is one of those films. The film had a relatively unheralded reception, when originally released; and, it received zero nominations from any of the major film awards groups. One of the problems may have been the media "scandal" erupting over the nearly simultaneous uncovering of a "sex tape" featuring Mr. Lowe. Presently, this sort of "publicity" would be planned to help the film, which includes Lowe's character in a similar situation; but, it was no publicity stunt.And, if you see Lowe with Spader in a bunny mask, that is a gun in his pocket.This was before celebrity Paris Hilton and FOX showed how to use the "celebrity sex tape" to their advantage - making Ms. Hilton and the network's "The Simple Life" hits. Lowe's appearance in a "Snow White" opening at the previous year's "Academy Awards", and his "teen idol" backlash didn't help. But, Lowe is terrific in "Bad Influence"; it should have established him as an "A-list" film actor. Ironically, co-star Spader had just received the same kind of career break, in the recent "sex, lies, and videotape" (1989). Ah, those were the camcorder days… "Does anybody want an espresso?" With perfect performances, and a dazzling display of light and shadows, "Bad Influence" should have received six "Academy Award" nominations, including one for "Best Picture"; it is absolutely one of the best-looking films of its year, and surfaces as one of the more stylish looks at MTV generation. Those most responsible, director Hanson and cinematographer Robert Elswit, received "Oscars" for work on subsequent films. Writer David Koepp's screenplay is also excellent; to appreciate his story, and understand the L.A. scene depicted in "Bad Influence", simply use the code words given, to enter the film: "Dominant Athletic Female", "Gay White Male", "Fun-Loving Couple".********** Bad Influence (3/9/90) Curtis Hanson ~ Rob Lowe, James Spader, Christian Clemenson, Lisa Zane

***SPOILER*** Being pushed around all his adult life yuppie financial analyst Michael or Mick Boll's, James Spader, abusive life made a sudden turnaround when he accidentally ran into his "Knight in Shining Armor" the mysterious Alex, Rob Lowe.Just trying to be a nice guy Michael paid for a drink that Karen,Susan Lee Hofman,didn't have the cash for. In pops Karen's jealous boyfriend Willie, Jack Kaake, who in finding out that Michael acted like a gentleman to his now estranged girlfriend tried to plant, by slamming it, his face into the counter! If it wasn't for Alex coming to Michael's rescue, with a broken beer glass, the movie "Bad Infulance" would have been over almost as soon as it began.Taking the wimpy Michael under his wing Alex gets him involved, after getting Michael stone cold drunk, in a number of armed robberies that he later uses to blackmail him with. Alex also has Michael's rival, for senior financial analyst, at his firm Patterson, Tommy Maggio, beaten to a pulp in order for Michael to get the coveted job. Not that Patterson was an innocent party in his screwing Michael by erasing all the hard work, on his personal computer, that he did to get the job.It's later that Alex really gets to work on Michael in not only getting him in bed with hooker Claire, Lisa Zane, but video taping the sleazy and sordid event. Alex uses the incriminating video to destroy Michael's wedding plans to rich well beard and sweet Ruth Fielding, Marcia Cross, whom he was engaged to marry! Later in order to keep Michael in line Alex kills Claire, with Michael's favorite golf club,in his apartment leaving him as the police's prime suspect in her murder!As it turns out Alex's plan to have Michael under his control backfired in Michael becoming almost as smart and manipulative as he is. In fact Alex in trying to make Michael into his personal slave created a Frankenstein monster instead. A monster who in the end with the help of his even more scared and wimpy older brother Pismo, Christian Clemeron, would put the arrogant and sure of himself Alex in his place! By having him take a long walk off the end of a short pier on the Pacific Ocean!You never get to know what Alex's fascination with Michael really was. Alex like the "Lone Ranger" just shows up at the bar and takes control of Michael's life as if, Michael's confrontation with Willie, was planned far in advance! Alex getting Michael involved in his murderous antics also didn't make much sense in that Michael can, like Alex did to Michael, implicate him in them as well!The only explication I can see in Alex's actions is that he just wanted to corrupt, like the Devil, a harmless and innocent person. And as it turned out it was that person, Michael, who used Alex's underhanded tactics in his own self preservation by having them boomerang on him!

An smart Financial Analyst but socially shy and inept Michael Boll (James Spader) seems to be living the good life. But he feels, there's something missing in his life... a sense of danger. But when Micheal meets Alex (Rob Lowe), a mysteriously drifter but intriguing seemingly clever guy. Alex tells Micheal, he should be open more to his life and taking responsibility. At first... Micheal is having a great time with his new found friend. But Alex isn't what he seems to be and especially when Alex is slowly making Micheal's life is a living hell.Directed by Oscar-Winner:Curtis Hanson (8 Mile, L.A. Confidential, Wonder Boys) made an fascinating, something lurid thriller that keeps on being entertaining. Lowe is actually pretty good in the lead and Spader is excellent as usual. This smart thriller has some suspenseful moments and a few great moments of black comedy. But sometimes... the script by David Koepp (Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull, Death Becomes Her, Carlito's Way) goes over the line and it gets to be really silly at times. But still, the feature was made before Hanson's breakthrough feature "The Hand That Rocks the Cradle" and Hanson handles the suspense like a pro.DVD has an sharp anamorphic Widescreen (1.85:1) transfer (Also in Pan & Scan) and an good Dolby Surround 2.0 Surround Sound. DVD's only extra feature is the original theatrical trailer. Sometimes i wonder if "Bad Influence" would be a better thriller... if Lowe and Spader switched roles. But still, it offers better suspense what movies have to offer these days. It's worth a look. Plenty of familiar faces appears in small supporting roles and cameos. (*** ½/*****).