A comedy writer struggles to overcome his addiction to heroin.
Director:
David Veloz
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The acclaimed actor discusses working with Keanu Reeves in John Wick and how he says the name of detective "Bosch."
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Title: Permanent Midnight (1998)
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1 nomination.
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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 | |
Edit
Plot Summary
|
Add Synopsis
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. Written by Anonymous
Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)
Rated R for pervasive graphic drug use, strong sexuality and language | See all certifications »Parents Guide:
View content advisory »
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See more on IMDbPro »
See full technical specs »
Details
Country:
USALanguage:
EnglishRelease Date:
23 April 1999 (Iceland) See more »Also Known As:
A nap árnyékos oldalán See more »Edit
Box Office
Opening Weekend USA:
$260,562, 20 September 1998, Limited ReleaseGross USA:
$1,166,199, 8 November 1998Company Credits
Show more on
IMDbPro »
Technical Specs
Runtime:
Color:
ColorAspect Ratio:
1.85 : 1
Edit
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.
See more »
Performed by Spring Heel Jack
Written and Produced by John Coxon and Ashley Wales
Published by Singmetal Ltd./Chrysalis Music (ASCAP)
Courtesy of Trade 2/Island Records Ltd.
By Arrangement with PolyGram Film & TV Music
See more »
Did You Know?
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 its star was apparently based on Cybill Shepherd. See more »Goofs
Sandra could have just taken Jerry's car keys, and have him stay at her home to watch Nina, this way he has no means to go out and buy drugs. See more »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.
See more »
Alternate Versions
The DVD features 3 deleted scenes:- A wasted Jerry hitting on Owen Wilson's character's girlfriend and being thrown out.
- A long haired Jerry working for Hustler magazine.
- A stoned Jerry buying a muffin and being beaten with a baseball bat by the store clerk.
Soundtracks
A PERMANENT THEMEPerformed by Spring Heel Jack
Written and Produced by John Coxon and Ashley Wales
Published by Singmetal Ltd./Chrysalis Music (ASCAP)
Courtesy of Trade 2/Island Records Ltd.
By Arrangement with PolyGram Film & TV Music
See more »
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Most of the drug-use scenes were fairly realistic. Been there and back myself, so to tell you the truth, nothing I saw in the movie made me wince, although there was a lot to relate to. There's a scene where - this really isn't a spoiler, given the context of the movie - where Jerry dumps some pills out of a prescription bottle, and they look exactly like the kind of pills they're supposed to be. Nice attention to detail. One thing that movies never quite get right or, perhaps like this one, simply choose to ignore, are the details of how one actually turns one's life around from being addicted to recovering, and this movie was no exception. We know in the beginning that Jerry has been through rehab, but that process itself, which may I say ain't exactly a cakewalk - and I mean you have to be clean before you can go through it, remains rather mysterious. Oh well, whatever, an interesting, entertaining movie that held my interest for its running time. Some usage scenes might be a bit upsetting to the non-anointed, although probably nothing quite so hard to take as in Requiem For A Dream.