The Boost (1988)

Director:

Harold Becker

Writers (WGA):

Ben Stein (book)
Darryl Ponicsan (screenplay)

Release Date:

23 December 1988 (USA)

Genre:

Drama | Romance

Tagline:

Imagine having all the power, passion and pleasure money can buy. Now imagine losing them.

Plot:

Lenny Brown moves to California to find his fortune in tax shelter investments. When the federal government changes the tax laws...

Plot Keywords:

Drugs | Drug Addiction | Cocaine | Hospital | Domestic Violence

Awards:

1 nomination

Cast

James Woods	...	Lenny Brown
Sean Young	...	Linda Brown
John Kapelos	...	Joel Miller
Steven Hill	...	Max Sherman
Kelle Kerr	...	Rochelle
John Rothman	...	Ned
Amanda Blake	...	Barbara
Grace Zabriskie	...	Sheryl
Marc Poppel	...	Mark
Fred McCarren	...	Tom
Suzanne Kent	...	Helen
Libby Boone	...	Delores
Greg Deason	...	Michael
David N. Preston	...	Surfer (as David Preston)
June Chandler	...	Secretary

Runtime:

95 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Sound Mix:

Dolby

Certification:

Australia:R | USA:R (certificate #29541) | Finland:K-16 | UK:18 | West Germany:16 | Iceland:12

Filming Locations:

Los Angeles, California, USA

Company:

Hemdale Film

Trivia:

The first shot of the movie was actually the last one filmed; it is also the only shot actually filmed in New York City. The rest of the movie's NYC scenes were filmed in Los Angeles because the crew was on such a tight budget.

Quotes:

Linda: [at dinner with Ned] ... Lenny told me about the mistake today. I didn't know whether to laugh or cry. He was sort of counting on that sale to break into the business.
Lenny: [to Linda] That doesn't mean anything to Ned.
Ned: What doesn't mean anything?
Lenny: Hustling for money. You're above all that.
Ned: I worry about money, just like everybody else.
Lenny: But you got some backstops. You start falling down that well, you got some slats across to catch yourself, right? You got your professor-father. You got an education. You got the Financial Journal. You can't fall too far. My old man's an ex-printer on disability! My mother is a secretary for the Ladies Garment Workers Union! I'VE GOT A HIGH SCHOOL EDUCATION!

Movie Connections:

References Svengali (1931)

James Woods saves the movie

While today this movie may seem a bit dated, and yes, it is a little over the top, with a thin story line, the message is important.

James Woods is excellent, always assimilates the character he is portraying (I was reminded of his film "The Story of Bill W.", about the origins of Alcoholics Anonymous). Sean Young is also good, looks lovely, and portrays the put upon wife who ends up saving herself.

The business deals, and his rapid rise and fall are probably exaggerated, but the audience sees a former success "hitting bottom", which for some substance abusers, can take either a year, or a decade. The fact that Woods portrays an "äverage guy" who is just trying to get ahead, is realistic; he doesn't plan to live in a seedy apartment near Hollywood Boulevard; it is a long way from NY , or Wilshire Boulevard.

Some cameos are also excellent; Steven Hill is Woods' mentor, starting him on the fast track, Grace Zabriskie portrays an eccentric neighbor; John Kapelos plays the former "friend" from Woods' halcyon days.

Initially this movie was panned mercilessly; I find that over the years certain movies resonate the time period they depict, and while this was not a blockbuster film, like Oliver Stone's "Wall Street", (which was released the year before) it at least has a message, and several decent performances which deserve credit.