Writer/Director: Paul Brickman
Starring: Tom Cruise, Rebecca De Mornay and Joe Pantoliano
‘A Captivating Classic’
Not many actors have made films making headlines news like Tom Cruise. Since his rise to fame in the 1990’s, Cruuse has been a beloved icon. Whether it’s spies enduring dangers, lawyers or soaring aviators, Cruise has portrayed many compelling characters. Arguably, Cruise’s best strength as an actor is his powerful commitment to his craft. He is one of those rare actors that has always put his life on the line by performing his own stunts. Even when he has suffered injuries, Cruise has never lost his passion for making memorable movies. An actor with a strong commitment toward his craft, Cruise has become an icon in entertainment. Although he’s best known for his role in the Mission Impossible series, Cruise has proven he can make engaging films in every single genre. Throughout his powerful career, Cruise has made several unforgettable movies that are absolutely worth talking about without any doubt.
I’m a huge fan of Cruise and adore all films he has made in his career. However, “Risky Business” is my favourite. Released in 1983, Paul Brickman’s movie offered a compelling portrait of prostitution. Packed with strong production design, spellbinding storytelling and phenomenal acting, it’s one of the best coming of age films ever made. At center of it all is an excellent performance from Tom Cruise, who portrays a teen that falls in love with a prostitute enduring issues. Ultimately, what makes “Risky Business” a classic is its universal appeal. Unlike most movies made in the 1980’s that are outdated, it has aged beautifully. A captivating masterpiece about prostitution, there are many strong reasons why “Risky Business” is a movie that’s worth watching.
“Risky Business” tells the story of a college student that participates in risky business. Tom Cruise plays Joel Goodson, a rebellious college student with a good boy reputation. Joel has always thrived at pleasing parents by focusing on academic success. However, Joel’s life forever changes when he is left at home alone by his parents causing disaster. Abandoning life responsibilities, Joel makes a decision to engage in rebellious activities. Hiring the risky prostitute Lana (Rebecca De Mornay), Joel seeks to find a way to enjoy every day. As he engages in risky business, Joel struggles to keep his activities a secret from parents’ awareness.
Paul Brickman is a newcomer to the themes of prostitution. Before he had made “Risky Business”, Brickman has never made a film on prostitutes before. It was the director’s first attempt to capture the lives of teens engaging in prostitution causing adversity, but he succeeded tremendously. Through strong cinematography, Brickman captures a college student embarking on a journey to discover his identity. Evoking Mike Nichols’ “The Graduate”, Brickman successfully uses montages to capture the lives of prostitutes whose lives often deteriorate. For instance, montages elevate the prostitution meeting scene. During this heartfelt scene, Joel has his first ever meeting with Lana beginning their romantic affair. Using breathtaking montages, Brickman creates a portrait of prostitution that’s compelling. Montages are often tricky. As Paul Thomas Anderson’s “Magnolia” suggested, montages elevate films about Los Angeles. Nevertheless, it works immensely. Using stunning visuals, Brickman captures the tensions prostitutes are facing.
Another strong aspect of “Risky Business” that merits appreciation is the production. From a technical perspective, the film is extremely well made. Emulating Woody Allen’s “Annie Hall”, Brickman effectively uses costumes to capture the romantic relationships of prostitutes. Throughout the movie, Lana’s costumes showcase her bold transformations into a prostitute. For instance, costumes elevate the train scene. During this unforgettable scene, Joel and Lana have a sexual encounter on a train showcasing strong companionship. Using stunning costumes, Brickman creates a portrait of hookers which is compelling. Moreover, the musical score is dazzling. Johannes Schmolling’s music is key to the success of the movie. It gives the movie a tense atmosphere capturing the burden prostitutes bear. Using commemorated production, Brockman captures hookers facing tension.
Storytelling is one of the main reasons why “Risky Business” is a film about prostitution that’s compelling. The movie is beautifully written, and effectively uses sequences of silence to capture tensions that prostitutes experience. For instance, silence enhances the farewell scene. During this unforgettable scene, Joel bids emotional farewell to Lana in a separation. Through silence, Brickman creates a portrait of prostitution audiences can relate to. Silence is a tricky technique to use in movies. As Stanley Kubrick’s “Eyes Wide Shut” demonstrated, silence elevates bold psychological thrillers. Barry Levinson’s “Rain Man” suggested silence elevates films about Autism. Nevertheless, it works well in this movie. Through a fantastic screenplay, Brickman captured the lives of prostitutes facing price to pay.
One appreciates amazing performances.
Tom Cruise delivers one of his best career performances as Joel. Cruise first earned appreciation for playing aviators in action movies. With “Risky Business”, however, he took on his most complex role. It isn’t easy to portray a teenager that falls in love with a prostitute facing tragedy but he succeeded tremendously. This is the actor unlike you’ve ever seen him before: intense, charismatic and emotional in his most memorable role. With riveting expressions, he captures the angst, desperation and rebellious nature of a teenager facing tensions. It’s a powerful performance from one of the most beloved actors working today.
While the movie is mainly a showcase for Tom Cruise, the supporting cast is superb and worthy of appreciation. Rebecca De Mornay is remarkable, capturing tension faced by a prostitute struggling to find her way facing a price to pay. Joe Pantoliano is phenomenal, capturing the sorrow faced by a rebellious teenager whose life has hit a crushing low. Lastly, Richard Masur merits appreciation. As a comedic teenager, he brings hilarious comic relief towards the movie.
Finally, “Risky Business” would earn praise of everyone for capturing prostitutes in a risky business. Unlike most movies about prostitution, it tackles strong themes that everyone would relate to. It discusses bold themes including ambition, mental health and rebellion which would resonate among everyone. Viewers don’t need to have grown up in the 1980’s to enjoy it. Therefore, “Risky Business” is one of those rare films about teens everyone would adore.
Fans of Tom Cruise would absolutely enjoy “Risky Business” and so would audiences seeking meaningful entertainment. A bold romantic drama, it honours an actor with charisma.
Nearly 40 years following the release of a groundbreaking film about teenagers that engage in a risky business of prostitution, it’s riveting reminder about an actor with dedication that has crafted unforgettable movies throughout his career which are absolutely without a doubt worthy of huge celebration.
5/5 stars
The Film Buff 