Risky Business.

Review #1082: Risky Business.

Cast: 
Tom Cruise (Joel Goodson), Rebecca De Mornay (Lana), Joe Pantoliano (Guido), Nicholas Pryor (Mr. Goodson), Janet Carroll (Mrs. Goodson), Richard Masur (Rutherford), Curtis Armstrong (Miles Dalby), Bronson Pinchot (Barry), Shera Danese (Vicki), and Raphael Sbarge (Glenn) Directed by Paul Brickman.

Review: 
Risky Business is the kind of film that isn't merely just stuck to one type of genre or idea of what it is, whether that is a coming-of-age film, a romantic comedy, or look at society in the world of a teen. Whatever lens that you view the film through, it is a fairly effective experience that has enough clever moments and energy to make a solid winner. This was the film that helped launch the career of Cruise, who had starred in four other films prior to this one, and it is certainly easy to see his charisma on-screen and why he makes the film tick, including memorable moments such as the sequence with "Old Time Rock and Roll" (a fun song from Bob Seger to listen to in any context) - which is likely the most iconic thing from this film, with its own share of inspirations and parodies in the decades that have followed this film. In any case, it's an interesting part to the film. De Mornay manages to also pull off a fine performance, being quite the charming rogue that elevates a role that could've just been thankless with a sort of energy that works handily with Cruise in their scenes. The other members of the cast do fine jobs, with Pantoliano having some crudely effective zip in the scenes that he is in. The film is fairly engaging with its plot and its depiction of angst and greed that certainly make what could've probably just been a cliché teen comedy with less clever hands and instead make something a bit more sharper, with its own bits of social satire included. The cinematography by Bruce Surtees is glossy and effective, having some fine shots such as the sequence on the train or nighttime shots at times. Brickman (who also served as writer) wanted the film to end on a different note than what occurs in the film (as dictated by the studio), involving the nature of the two main characters and their future. It feels a bit more raw and it likely will touch a nerve for some, but I can't really object to the ending that ended up on-screen. Ultimately, this is a film that has enough amusing moments but also enough clever moments to make for a relatively engaging experience that is worth the 99 minute run-time - and then some.

Overall, I give it 8 out of 10 stars.