Epic/Sarlui-Diamant/PRO. Director Curtis Hanson; Producer Steve Tisch; Screenplay David Koepp; Camera Robert Elswitt; Editor Bonnie Koehler; Music Trevor Jones; Art Director Ron Foreman
Rob Lowe
James Spader
Lisa Zane
Christian Clemenson
Kathleen Wilhoite
Tony Maggio
Bad Influence proves a reasonably taut, suspenseful thriller that provides its share of twists before straying into silliness. Rob Lowe doesn't really project enough menace or charisma to pull off his role as Alex, a babyfaced psycho who slowly leads Michael (James Spader) through a liberating fantasy that ultimately turns into a yuppie nightmare.
Director and writer seem to draw their inspiration most closely from Alfred Hitchcock's Strangers on a Train - a chance meeting between a regular guy and an outwardly normal stranger whose hidden darkness ultimately leads to fatal complications.
Foremost, however, the film is about Michael's seduction by Alex's free-wheeling attitude, only to find that the rewards don't come cheap.
Spader delivers a terrific performance, and some of the scenes have tremendous impact, especially when - via video - he discovers the depth of Alex's depravity, as fantasy turns into fatal distraction.
Director Curtis Hanson and writer David Koepp create a continued sense of tension and invest many scenes with much-needed humor.
(Color) Available on VHS, DVD. Extract of a review from 1990. Running time: 99 MIN.
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