Permanent Midnight (1998)

Comedy writer Jerry Stahl, whose $6000-a-week heroin habit had him taking his infant daughter along on his drug runs and doing smack during TV script conferences. Departing detox, Stahl ... See full summary »

Director:

David Veloz

Writers:

Jerry Stahl (book), David Veloz (screenplay)

Stars:

Ben Stiller, Maria Bello, Jay Paulson

1 nomination.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Ben Stiller	...	Jerry Stahl
Maria Bello	...	Kitty
Jay Paulson	...	Phoenix Punk
Spencer Garrett	...	Brad / Tim from Mr. Chompers
Owen Wilson	...	Nicky
Elizabeth Hurley	...	Sandra
Lourdes Benedicto	...	Vola
Fred Willard	...	Craig Ziffer
Chauncey Leopardi	...	Jerry at 16
Mary Thompson	...	Grandma Whittle
Connie Nielsen	...	Dagmar
Charles Fleischer	...	Allen from Mr. Chompers
Liz Torres	...	Dita
Douglas Spain	...	Miguel
Janeane Garofalo	...	Jana Farmer

Storyline

Comedy writer Jerry Stahl, whose $6000-a-week heroin habit had him taking his infant daughter along on his drug runs and doing smack during TV script conferences. Departing detox, Stahl explores memories with survivor Kitty, who listens patiently to Stahl's flashback. Other women in Stahl's life are his British wife Sandra and his agent Vola. For the TV series "Mr. Chompers" (inspired by ALF), Stahl meets with sitcom exec Craig Ziffer and puppeteer Allen. For freaky freebasing, Stahl hangs with mumbler Nicky and druggie Gus.

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Plot Keywords:

habit | flashback | heroin | detox | writer | 

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Genres:

Biography | Drama | Romance

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated R for pervasive graphic drug use, strong sexuality and language

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

16 September 1998 (USA)

Also Known As:

A nap árnyékos oldalán

Filming Locations:

Los Angeles, California, USA

Box Office

Opening Weekend:

$260,562 (USA) (18 September 1998)

Gross:

$1,166,199 (USA) (6 November 1998)

Company Credits

Production Co:

JD Productions

Technical Specs

Runtime:

88 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital SDDS

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Jerry Stahl:  The real Jerry Stahl has a cameo as Dr. Lazarus. ("Lazarus" is on his name plate on his white coat.)

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Goofs

After Jerry picks up his daughter from Sandra to babysit her (at approximately [1:01:40]), he can be seen driving down the road sitting on the right hand side of the car. This is not consistent with other scenes in the movie and furthermore, the driver is clearly not Ben Stiller.

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Quotes

[first lines]
Jerry: You know what's mortifying? Smack is like the leisure suit of the nineties. Instead of wrecking dad's Buick on prom might, these little suburban fucks are coping habits and OD'ing in the rec room.
Kitty: And you're different, because?
Jerry: I never got to the prom.

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Connections

References M (1931)

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Soundtracks

"TAPE LOOP (DIABOLICAL BROTHERS MIX)"
Performed by Morcheeba
Written by Paul Godfrey (as P. Godfrey), Ross Godfrey (as R. Godfrey),
Skye Edwards (as S. Edwards)
Produced by Morcheeba and Pete Norris
Published by Chrysalis Music, Inc.
Used by Permission of China Records, Ltd.

User Reviews

My 2 hits... I mean cents

Probably one of the best movies about drugs that I've ever seen. An excellent performance by Ben Stiller in one of his most serious roles. If you want to see a movie that portrays the life-style associated with drugs accurately, watch this movie.