Risky Business: 25th Anniversary

Risky Business was marketed as the American Pie of its time but turned out to be The Graduate of the ’80s instead. Though very much a film of the Reagan era, Risky Business’s high level of writing, acting and editing made it timeless. It launched the careers of director Paul Brickman, Rebecca De Mornay and of course, Tom Cruise, whose 19-year-old Joel asks the classic question: "What the fuck?” An all-American white boy from suburban Chicago, Joel hires Lana (De Mornay), a beautiful but conniving hooker, when his parents go away. However, Joel winds up pimping her "friends” to his buddies to make some quick cash while he tries to get into a prestigious university and dodges Guido (Joe Pantoliano), Lana’s vengeful "manager.” Joel’s rite-of-passage transforms him from a naïve teenager into a cynical young man. Brickman translates his sardonic script to the screen with neo-noir visuals and a mesmerizing soundtrack by Tangerine Dream. De Mornay almost steals the show from a baby-faced Cruise. Together they satirize, yet celebrate, the shallow greed of the ’80s, much like The Graduate personified the youthful rebellion of an earlier age. The DVD is loaded with features, starting with a commentary by Cruise, Brickman and co-producer Jon Avnet. Though there is a little too much backslapping, the audio is fun to listen to and offers enough insight into this production, which every Hollywood studio rejected except David Geffen. The 25th Anniversary Retrospective reveals more of the story behind the production. However, the gem is the 15-minute screen test between a pimply Cruise and an icy De Mornay. Even on this early video their on screen chemistry is immediate. The DVD’s icing on the cake is Brickman’s original, more downbeat ending, which is arguably inferior to the official one. Altogether, this DVD restores Risky Business’ stature as one of the great American comedies.