Permanent Midnight (1998)

A comedy writer struggles to overcome his addiction to heroin.

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:

heroin addiction | reference to ethel merman | based on autobiography | kissing while having sex | sex scene | 

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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

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.

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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.

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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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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.

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Connections

Features ABC's Nightlife (1964)

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Soundtracks

Get Miles
Performed by Gomez
Written by Ian Ball (as Ball)/Paul Blackburn (as Blackburn)/Tom Gray (as Gray)/Ben Ottewell (as Attewell)/Oliver Peacock (as Peacock)
Produced by Gomez
Engineered by Ken Nelson
Published by Warner Chappell Music Ltd.
Courtesy of Virgin Records America, Ltd.

User Reviews

A different type of film that I found to be interesting

Permanent Midnight is the autobiographical story of the life and times of Jerry Stahl. This was a movie that tested the boundaries of what could be shown on the movie screen. Ben Stiller's performance as Jerry Stahl was dramatic to say the least. Stiller's performance was excellent and really showed me the flipside of what could happen to somebody when they get hooked on drugs. The whole cast from Maria Bello to Elizabeth Hurley were solid support for the main character, Jerry Stahl. The real Jerry Stahl actually had a role, which surprised me, as Dr. Murphy from the drug rehabilitation clinic. Stahl recounts his life from a hotel room while having a sexual encounter he met while he was working at a restaurant drive-thru. The way that the director lays out the film is perfect; it is different than what I have seen before. The way Jerry Stahl recounts his life the way he did pleasantly surprised me. I warn anyone who wants to watch Permanent Midnight to brace themselves for extreme drug use by sticking needles in arms and sensual love scenes. I recommend this film for its stars' performances.

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

23 April 1999 (Iceland)

Also Known As:

Permanent Midnight

Filming Locations:

Los Angeles, California, USA

Box Office

Opening Weekend USA:

$260,562, 20 September 1998

Gross USA:

$1,171,001

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$1,171,001

Company Credits

Production Co:

JD Productions

Technical Specs

Runtime:

88 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital SDDS

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1