Review of Risky Business (1983) by Brian M — 20 Jun 2011

In the 80s there was a select pantheon of banned movies for middle class American children on HBO, and "Risky Business" was on that list. With a suprisingly well rounded cast led by Tom Cruise and Rebecca De Mornay, I don't think anything was more disturbing than the young Curtis Armstrong 'Booger', Bronson Pinchot or Joe Pantoliano showing up on screen.

While the film has been parodied to death excessively to a point where most scenes feel as though they are 'missing something', the underlying truth of this quintessential 80's wet dream can not be denied.

With such over the top scenes, interlaced with almost quirky porn music, and campy cinematography (such as the well placed breeze during a sex scene), "Risky Business" isn't exactly "The Graduate" but it's a film hard to deny- despite it's obvious aging.

Underneath it all is a fine commentary on the end of innocence during the 80s, and Tom Cruise's performance as a childlike boy, (-even down to his subtle interactions with his catcher's mask,) is dead on accurate.