Bad Influence (1990)
Genre: Thriller / Drama
Duration: 99 minuten
Country:
United States
Directed by: Curtis Hanson
Stars: Rob Lowe, James Spader and Rosalyn Landor
IMDb score:
6,3 (11.417)
Releasedate: 9 March 1990
Bad Influence plot
Michael, a goofy yuppie, is about to be beaten to a pulp by a jealous boyfriend at a bar. Then a handsome mysterious stranger intervenes and disappears again. Later while jogging, Michael encounters this man again and the man introduces himself as Alex. The two get along well, and slowly but surely Alex penetrates deeper into Michael's life. When Michael notices that Alex has a sick mind, it is already too late.
Actors and actresses
Michael Boll
Alex
Claire
Ruth Fielding
Britt
Leslie
Patterson
Naked Woman
Willie
Pismo Boll
Reviews & comments
Filmkriebel
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- 10133 messages
- 4740 votes
A twisty thriller like the kind you often saw in the '90s. This one, from 1990, is a bit of a pioneering film in that regard. It was quite enjoyable and exciting to watch at times. A young yuppie, Michael, befriends a guy with psychopathic tendencies who increasingly interferes in Michael's life. It's all very simple, but there are constant little twists that keep things interesting, and Spader starts to sweat harder and harder as the film progresses. I also found it quite unbelievable with the emptied apartment and the murder , and Alex's motivation also makes no sense. I found the ending very strange. The script was by David Koepp, who would later make a name for himself with his scripts for Carlito's Way, Jurassic Park, Mission Impossible, and the latest Indiana Jones.
Translated from Dutch · View original
Bobbejaantje
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- 2355 messages
- 2117 votes
Blinds abound in this neo-noir, allowing Rob Lowe to remain in semi-darkness at appropriate times, as befits a dark character in this kind of film. This film was released two years after the infamous sex tape scandal in which Lowe (what's in a name) played a central role. And lo and behold, in Bad Influence, a sex tape plays a significant role in the downfall of James Spader's character. It's questionable when the script was written before drawing conclusions about brand marketing.
I certainly found the film entertaining. It builds tension well, with occasional glimpses of humor, including one involving Michael's brother. All of this takes place in an era where MS-DOS and floppy disks still rule, with a sexy soundtrack playing in the background.
Translated from Dutch · View original
ZAP!
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- 5556 messages
- 3676 votes
“You're going to die with your mouth shut.”
Every now and then I pick this one up again, and it remains a unique film. Rob Lowe's performance is a bit hit and miss, but it works for me. Spader is even better, and brother Pismo (well-played by Christian Clemenson, well-known to me from the cop in The Big Lebowski—"I guess we can close the file on that one...") adds a bit more depth to the story as an older brother who... well, see for yourself.
There's a lingering feeling that there could have been more, as the film focuses on increasingly dramatic developments (where credibility isn't the primary concern), but the film offers enough for an hour and a half of exciting and fairly inventive entertainment. A solid 7, rounded up.
Written by David Koepp, who would later make a name for himself, including as a director. Curtis Hanson ultimately enjoyed less success than I anticipated, as I now see, but LA Confidential is unmissable, and I certainly enjoyed Sweet Kill and The Hand That Rocks the Cradle.
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