Review of Permanent Midnight (1998) by Timmy H — 18 Aug 2012

There have been a lot of movies about addicts and addiction, but "Permanent Midnight" finds its own story to tell despite some scenes that feel familiar and cliched. It's based on a true story but in the end that doesn't really matter all that much. The behind the scenes of a popular '80's sitcom could have been interesting, but this is more about one man's struggle and it;s all the more effective because the focus is restricted to that single storyline.

It may seem odd now to think of Ben Stiller in a role like this, but early in his career he was much more of a risk taker, and he's phenomenal in this role. More attention paid to the terrific work he did here and in other earlier, darker films might have led to him choosing more dramatic roles and the world may have been spared one more moronic comedy. Unfortunately, that never happened.

This is one of the most unflinching, rawest films on the subject of drug addiction in recent memory, not shying away from showing just how ugly and desperate people become. The film never glamorizes its subject matter, and there are plenty of characters here, written smartly, who see through Stiller's facade. It's refreshing to see.

I also appreciated the unique structure of the film, opening at the story's end and relating Stiller's descent through flashbacks. The technique can be flashy and distracting, but it works here. There's nothing at all that's flashy about this picture. "Permanent Midnight" is human and compassionate, but at the same time honest and uncompromising. Stiller's character is unsympathetic but it's perhaps the best performance of his career. It's a trendy story starkly told.