Review of Risky Business (1983) by Edgar C — 05 Nov 2013

Potentially, this is Tom Cruise's second best film in his entire career, though not necessarily his best performance. Risky Business found, with surprising easiness, its pop-culture status among modern viewers. 75% of that popularity image has Tom Cruise dancing to the beat of "Old Time Rock and Roll" by Bob Seger and The Silver Bullet Band, a scene which barely represents the entire dark atmosphere of this teen drama.

Risky Business is yet ANOTHER movie that puts us in the perspective of the rebellious young generation that came out from such an irresponsible previous generation: their parents. It was typical to see the parents playing passive antagonistic roles while these lost boys sought for liberty, either financial, carnal or intellectual, in several ways possible, from organizing massive parties to taking "days off" like a good Ferris Bueller would do. In this case, however, the perspective is less comedic. I wouldn't catalogue this as a comedy, but as an exercise in the irony of negative outcomes of irresponsible actions, maybe even with a touch of peer pressure.

The execution of certain scenes was excellent, from the opening dream sequence, to the "Are you ready for me?" encounter, to the subway sequence. Remarkably, the film ends with a sarcastic tone. It may seem that Joel Goodson got away with it from every single angle, but what matters is also what will happen in the long run, and that perspective is scary. The conclusion seems as uncertain as driving in foggy highway.

Good film, and somewhat underrated.

79/100.