INTO THE NIGHT
INTO THE NIGHT
This is one of my all time favorite
films. Directed by John Landis, this 1985 fim stars Jeff Goldblum and Michelle
Pheiffer.
The story follows
Jeff Goldblum as Ed Okin as a insomniac aerospace engineer. His insomnia
leads him to the Los Angeles Airport one night after catching his wife
cheating on him earlier in the day. As he sits in his car at the airport
parking garage, a woman played by Michelle Pheiffer lands on the hood of
his car and asks for his help. It tuens out she is smuggling gemstones
the Iran. The rest of the movie follows these two as they travel through
the city of Los Angeles almost entirely at night evading thier pursuers
(various interests who want the stones) and trying to get to her rich benefactor.
John Landis
has a wonderfuly twisted sense of humor. Besides this little gem he has
given us National Lampoon's Animal House, The Blues Brothers, and An American
Werewolf in London among others. This film includes many quirqy touches
such as Pheiffer's character's brother being an Elvis impersonator leading
the duo to drive a big white caddy with Elvis lives emblazzoned on the
side to Goldblum sitting in a fake boulder while visiting a TV show set.
The movie has somewhat of a classical Hithcock element with the average
guy (Goldblum) falling into an outragous situation. The movie was shot
entirely on location in Los Angeles and visits a number of famous parts
of the city including LAX and Rodeo Drive. The score of the film includes
songs by B.B. King, The Four Tops, and Marvin Gaye add to the rather hip
feel to the story.
This film is
ripe with cameo appearances also of well knowns from both on and behind
the screen including David Bowie, David Cronenberg, John Landis, Jim Henson,
Rick Baker, Vera Miles, Lawrence Kasdan, Dede Pheiffer (Michelle's sister),
Dan Akroyd, and Richard Fansworth.Along with great performances it is part
of the fun of the movie to pick out the famous names.
That's all for
now. If you haven't seen this flick, check it out at your local video store
or next time it's on cable.
Buy
Into the Night
For
more info check out the Internet Move Database entry for Into the Night
Or tell me
what you think of the film.
updated 9/13/1998