Review of Permanent Midnight (1998) by Glenn C — 04 Mar 2013
Permanent Midnight is based on the autobiography by Jerry Stahl, a Hollywood writer who's life spiralled out of control due to a heroine addiction. At the time he was writing for the tv series ALF he was earning $5000 a week and had a $6000 per week drug habit.
His story is legend in Hollywood and his exploits rivalled that of Hunter S Thompson. Ben Still is perfectly cast as Stahl. He looks just like him and his performance is incredible... in fact he has never been better.
The film is heavy and some of the scenes of him shooting up are grotesque and difficult to watch... a scene of him injecting heroine into his neck while he sits beside his baby daughter is heartbreaking.
The film is also backed with some great support actors such as Maria Bello, Owen Wilson, Charles Fleischer, Janeane Garofolo, Fred Willard and Peter Greene. As the poster suggests, Elizabeth Hurley also stars but she's the weakest link in this chain.
I've never considered her a good actor and she is sadly miscast in this one. Nevertheless it's a powerful film and most definitely a rarity for Ben Stiller. He puts his entire being into the role.
This review of Permanent Midnight (1998) was written by Glenn C on 04 Mar 2013.
Permanent Midnight has generally received positive reviews.
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