The Boost
How far would you go to keep your edge?
Life in the fast lane can be seductive, thrilling, intoxicating...but when night falls and the brakes fail, sooner or later you're gonna crash. Oscar nominee James Woods is "mesmeric" (Variety), and Sean Young delivers a "sensitive performance" (Los Angeles Times) in this gripping story of a loving couple's descent into the nightmare of cocaine addiction.
Lenny Brown (Woods) is finally on a roll: Recruited to sell real estate to the rich in LA, he's an overnight success. Suddenly, he and his wife (Young) have a beautiful home, fancy cars and a ready supply of cash. But when Lenny's fortunes suddenly change, he decides that he needs a "boost" to regain his edge. What he gets instead is an all-consuming need that drags him and his wife into a cycle of shame, denial and anguish.
Member Reviews
The euphoria of success - Porkchop
THE BOOST (1988) is a remarkable movie, that certainly broke ground at the time it was released, from its astonishing honesty, courage and acting skill shown as the story is told of a salesman who pushes big dollar projects, ideas and schemes.
First, James Woods is shown starting off with a very small-time gig, but turns it into a mega-deal, as Steven Hill becomes his mentor and introduces him to the proper places, people and business opportunities for Woods to work his magic.
The film does a fabulous job in depicting the euphoria of success, as Woods accepts clients from various livelihoods, from money launderers/ drug dealers with $75k cash, to medical doctors, and others. Leased and purchased luxury cars, million dollar villas with outdoor pool, private airplane, thoughtless speculation in the half a million range on tourism projects with decision making based on feeling alone and peer pressure, as well as an expensive coke habit, demonstrate the extent to which Woods's characters had become out of touch with reality, rather than saving for a rainy day, which actually does come round shortly after, as the tax authorities change the rules.
The final analysis holds little back, as Woods loses all that brought meaning to his life, as he embezzles from his mentor to feed his coke habit, turns into a wife beater, loses all luxuries leased, rented or owned, his self-respect, his calm and balance in face of obstacles such as when others question his skill, reputation, creativity and wisdom, etc. The miscarriage of a baby is the least of his worries, as temptation to revert to addiction proves too strong over a period of time.
The paradox, is casting having chosen an actress, Sean Young, who outdoes herself in the sincerity, realism, and warmth she brings to the screen, yet, at the same time, seems too normal, too modest or shy, soft spoken, real, or honest for the role, with dealing with Wood's manic-depressive personWOW! Great acting and writing. - JMOEfromBC
If you like James Woods rent this film. This is him at his best and most fierce. This is a fast paced film that almost anyone will enjoy. It's bold and straight to the point. It's also easy to follow so you can walk away from it to get some popcorn and come back and still not be lost. It's basically about how drugs and greed ruin people and relationships and how sometimes it's better to be broke than to strike it rich and then become broke again. James Woods is relentless and is a true talent. This film is the proof.
Member Reviews
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The euphoria of success - Porkchop
THE BOOST (1988) is a remarkable movie, that certainly broke ground at the time it was released, from its astonishing honesty, courage and acting skill shown as the story is told of a salesman who pushes big dollar projects, ideas and schemes.
First, ...WOW! Great acting and writing. - JMOEfromBC
If you like James Woods rent this film. This is him at his best and most fierce. This is a fast paced film that almost anyone will enjoy. It's bold and straight to the point. It's also easy to follow so you can walk away from it to get some popcorn and come ...