Bad Influence

Flaws and all, this is one classic film, something for the time capsule. It's got it ALL, baby. Let's start with Rob Lowe. Jerry McGuire he ain't. You're never going to see Rob with tears streaming down his cheeks, telling a woman that she "completes" him. Rather, you're more likely to find him yanking his clothes out of the closet, pulling out any photos that include him, stuffing it all in a duffel bag and hurling it into a garbage truck as he leaves the former object of his desire alone and naked in bed...just like the opening minutes of "Bad Influence." And yes, I know Rob has taken some "serious" roles and has played the "good guy" on occasion, but my challenge to you is "NAME one of those roles." I remembered them at the time, and I've forgotten them, pretty much like every other Rob Lowe fan on the planet. We want Evil Rob, and this movie is Pure Evil Rob. I won't offer any spoilers here, but let's just say that if you can't see the major plot twist coming from a mile away, you haven't seen too many movies. James Spader seems like an odd choice to play Lowe's "good" doppelganger, the guy who becomes corrupted as Rob introduces him to his own wants and desires. Spader's starred in more than his fair share of "this guy makes me feel kind of squirmy" roles. Of course, the only way the corruption of the character's "innocence" can appear real is that if it's built on shaky foundations to begin with, and Spader nails it. His character is a "career guy," a "ladder climber," engaged to Marcia Cross, who equally nails the boring, white bread, "why am I marrying this woman" object of Spader's luke-warm desire. See, Spader really doesn't want the pot of gold at the end of his rainbow. He wants to ride around in sporty little car with Evil Rob Lowe and do evil things. And he does. Why do you think the movie is named "Bad Influence" instead of "Two Nice Guys Helping Others?" The soundtrack is lip-smackin' 80s dee-licious, too. Lots of synthy angst...a highlight being The Nymphs performing "The Highway" during Lowe and Spader's first venture into one of the sleazy "password at the door" clubs. According to the notes on the YouTube clip of this scene, "Inger Lorre wrote this song about Richard Ramirez, the "Night Stalker," and the groupies he attracted during his trial." Makes it a perfect choice for this movie. I could go on...in detail...but I'm keeping my "no spoilers" promise. You probably have a general idea of what this one is all about, and I've tried to convey the flavor without ruining the experience. I love it, I've watched it at least 100 times since its release...it's a "midnight movie," it's sublime junk, it's a career high for Lowe. He plays his character with such oily, unrepentant glee that you envy anyone having that much fun and getting paid for it. BUY THIS ONE NOW!

Satisfied

thoroughly enjoyed this, and james spader serving looks the entire time

The talent in front of & behind the camera deliver an exceptional slept on thriller. Bare bones DVD Exactly as Described & Arrived on Time.

Good premise, and Lowe does a good job of portraying a psychopath. Spader also acts well, though it stretches credulity that he can be such a wus in the beginning and such an effective killer at the end of the movie. One wonders whether or not the end is really the end, but maybe this was intended and there were some thoughts (at the time) of a sequel.

Good watch early version of this genre

Bad Influence is another in a long string of early 90s thrillers that got lost for some reason. Directed by Curtis Hanson its a very well made and entertaining neo noir thriller with great performances, great cinematography and some solid suspense. David Fincher's Fight Club is like an updated but different version of Bad Influence in a lot of ways. Cant go wrong with James Spader and Rob Lowe chews up his scenery with a terrific psychotic performance. It also has a unique premise too. Odds are you haven`t heard of this movie but its def worth checking out. Other excellent lost thrillers to check out are Blue Steel, Internal Affairs (1990), Pacific Heights, Ricochet, Unlawful Entry, Copycat (the best serial killer movie ever made in my opinion), Trespass (1992) and Judgment Night.

The fact that a goody-goody (played by James Spader) can be influenced and his dark side comes out when he decided to befriend a man of bad influence (played by Rob Lowe). Both actors in my opinion are very under rated. They did great preformances here It has a tension all it's own as he manipulates the good guy to act just like him and like all people that are from the dark side feel if they can do that they can justify their own evil actions. You have to see this movie to get what I mean and I hate to give away most of the plot but Spader's life is almost immediately turned upside down from the moment this chance friendship begins.