Bad Influence (1990)

User Rating:

6.0/10   

Director:

Curtis Hanson

Writer (WGA):

David Koepp (written by)

Release Date:

9 March 1990 (USA)

Genre:

Drama | Thriller

Plot:

Michael, a wimpy young executive, is about to get pulverized by a jealous boyfriend in a bar when a handsome...

Plot Keywords:

Executive | Psychopath | Finance | Sadomasochism | Cynicism

Awards:

1 win & 1 nomination

Cast

Rob Lowe	...	Alex
James Spader	...	Michael Boll
Lisa Zane	...	Claire
Marcia Cross	...	Ruth Fielding
Rosalyn Landor	...	Britt
Tony Maggio	...	Patterson
Palmer Lee Todd	...	Naked Woman
Kathleen Wilhoite	...	Leslie
Sunny Smith	...	Waitress
Susan Lee Hoffman	...	Karen, Woman in Bar
Jeff Kaake	...	Willie, Man in Bar
Christian Clemenson	...	Pismo Boll
Charisse Glenn	...	Stylish Eurasian Woman
Jay Della	...	Chez Jay Bartender
Inger Lorre	...	Band Member

Runtime:

99 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Sound Mix:

Dolby

Certification:

Norway:15 (DVD rating) | Ireland:18 (DVD rating) | Norway:18 (original rating/video rating) | Netherlands:16 | Australia:M | Finland:K-16 | Spain:18 | Sweden:15 | UK:18 (cut) | USA:R | West Germany:16 | France:Unrated | Iceland:16

Filming Locations:

George C. Page Museum - 5801 W. Wilshire Blvd., Hancock Park, Los Angeles, California, USA

Company:

Epic Productions

Trivia:

The film garnered a lot of unwarranted PR as it was released roughly around the same time that Rob Lowe's infamous sex tape came to light.

Goofs:

Continuity: At the tar pits as seen from above, we see a yellow or lime-green fire truck (ladder truck). When the camera comes back as the fireman descends it (the ladder), we notice the truck is now red.

Quotes:

[last lines]
Alex: I never made you do anything that wasn't in you already. People are such hypocrites, they go through their whole lives to the day they die saying that they're innocent, but they're are not innocent. I showed you that! That's why I killed Claire Mick!
Michael: My names Michael
[pauses]
Michael: Did you get all that?
Pismo Boll: [pops up with a camera] Every word
[suddenly slips]
Pismo Boll: Watch out!

Movie Connections:

Referenced in The Cable Guy (1996)

Soundtrack:

N'SEL FIK

Beyond good and evil

This is the most textbook demonstration of Nietzsche I've ever seen. Rob Lowe is the gifted liar prepared to go all the way to get whatever he wants and keep himself entertained. Spader is the timid, uptight yuppie who doesn't understand just how much he's in for when Lowe's "will to power" rubs off on him. What ensues would bring anybody back to good old fashioned organized religion. A morality play taken to extremes that nonetheless works as a thriller, too. Worth seeing. 8.