IMDb >
Permanent Midnight (1998)
Watch It
Buy it at Amazon
Rent it at Blockbuster.com
Discuss in Boards More at IMDb Pro Add to My Movies Update Data
BETA
Discuss in Boards More at IMDb Pro Add to My Movies Update Data
Quicklinks
Top Links
trailers and videosfull cast and crewtriviaofficial sitesmemorable quotesOverview
main detailscombined detailsfull cast and crewcompany creditstv scheduleAwards & Reviews
user commentsexternal reviewsnewsgroup reviewsawardsuser ratingsparents guiderecommendationsmessage boardPlot & Quotes
plot summarysynopsisplot keywordsAmazon.com summarymemorable quotesFun Stuff
triviagoofssoundtrack listingcrazy creditsalternate versionsmovie connectionsFAQOther Info
merchandising linksbox office/businessrelease datesfilming locationstechnical specslaserdisc detailsDVD detailsliterature listingsNewsDeskPromotional
taglines trailers and videos posters photo galleryExternal Links
showtimesofficial sitesmiscellaneousphotographssound clipsvideo clipsPermanent Midnight (1998) More at IMDbPro »
| Videos (see all 2) |
|
Overview
User Rating:
Director:
Writers (WGA):
Release Date:
16 September 1998 (USA)
more
Plot:
Comedy writer Jerry Stahl (Ben Stiller), whose $6000-a-week heroin habit had him taking his infant daughter...
more
| add synopsis
Awards:
1 nomination
more
NewsDesk:
(10 articles)
Meet The Author 2009-10 Series Presents An Evening & Workshop with Jerry Stahl 10/30
(From BroadwayWorld.com. 30 October 2009, 3:00 AM, PDT)
Meet The Author 2009-10 Series Presents An Evening & Workshop with Jerry Stahl 10/30
(From BroadwayWorld.com. 28 October 2009, 12:46 PM, PDT)
(From BroadwayWorld.com. 30 October 2009, 3:00 AM, PDT)
Meet The Author 2009-10 Series Presents An Evening & Workshop with Jerry Stahl 10/30
(From BroadwayWorld.com. 28 October 2009, 12:46 PM, PDT)
User Comments:
Ben Stiller Takes a Good Dramatic Turn
more (52 total)
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 |
Additional Details
MPAA:
Rated R for pervasive graphic drug use, strong sexuality and language.
Parents Guide:
Runtime:
88 min
Country:
Language:
Color:
Aspect Ratio:
1.85 : 1 more
Sound Mix:
Certification:
Filming Locations:
Company:
Fun Stuff
Trivia:
The fictional television show "Mr. Chompers" was based on author Jerry Stahl's experience writing for "ALF" (1986). The other television series was based on Stahl's experiences on "Twin Peaks" (1990) and "Moonlighting" (1985), and it's star was apparently based on Cybill Shepherd.
more
Goofs:
Audio/visual unsynchronized: When Jerry is at the methadone clinic, the doctor is checking boxes on a form he's filling out. The questions he asks Jerry do not match the boxes he checks.
more
Movie Connections:
Referenced in "Saturday Night Live: Ben Stiller/Alanis Morrisette (#24.4)" (1998)
more
Soundtrack:
GET MILES
more
FAQ
This FAQ is empty. Add the first question.more (52 total)
Message Boards
Discuss this movie with other users on IMDb message board for Permanent Midnight (1998) moreRecommendations
If you enjoyed this title, our database also recommends:
Show more recommendations
|
|
|
|
|
| Jesus' Son | Candy | Before the Devil Knows You're Dead | Less Than Zero | Sunshine |
|
IMDb User Rating:
|
IMDb User Rating:
|
IMDb User Rating:
|
IMDb User Rating:
|
IMDb User Rating:
|
Related Links
| Full cast and crew | Company credits | External reviews |
| News articles | IMDb Biography section | IMDb USA section |
| Add this title to MyMovies |
Poor little rich kid, Jerry Stahl, an actual TV screenwriter in 1980s Hollywood, p***es all his good fortune away through a hefty heroin habit. Jerry then hits bottom, recovers, and writes his autobiography. "Permanent Midnight" chronicles Jerry's fall from Hollywood hotshot to junkie bum. Besides such an unpleasant subject, and an equally unsympathetic main character, "Permanent Midnight" still entertains, in a morbid sort of way. It's told in flashback (at the beginning of the movie Jerry's just finished rehab and is about to return to his old LA haunts), so we kind of know where the movie will take us. There's no mystery, we're going to watch Jerry's self-destructive crash and burn in close-up. We're a little in the dark about what will happen after the movie catches up with itself, but there's really not a lot of tension. It's like watching a car wreck in very slow motion.
Ben Stiller does an excellent job portraying Jerry, with his craving for the drug rising above, and then destroying, all that's good in his life. It's quite a frightening portrayal. Elizabeth Hurley, as his girlfriend, is a bit of a stretch for both her acting talent and in the casting. But the rest of the cast does fine work. I think the major detriment to this movie is that the audience knows beforehand how it will all end. This is a very dramatic subject, but with no drama in the screenplay. And that is a drag.