Série noire pour une nuit blanche

'Into the Night' stands as one of my favourite films of the '80's. In fact it stands as one of my most favourite films ever. Why? To be quite honest, I'm not sure why. It wasn't the best concept or script, the performances are okay -(with the exception of Goldblum who is outstanding)- and even John Landis' direction was at times on cruise control.

But what it did in 1985, was to reflect so much of what was going on. The ruthless drive for efficiency that makes Okin's aerospace company so demanding, the 'me' approach to relationships that results in Ed's wife's adulterous behaviour, the worship of fortune that dominates Diana's life and drives her so relentlessly - until Ed brings her something a little more worthwhile.

It had the right look, the right feel and the right cast to make you smile and go along with the goodtimes and the in-jokes between peers of the movie establishment. Here was a collection of successful players in Hollywood showing just how slick movie-making could be.

The screenings must have had the feel of a home movie with most of the cast sitting in the theatre enjoying their various cameos. Bowie, Cronenberg, Kasden and of course Landis himself, all doing it for their own.

I loved it when I first saw it and I'll be buying the DVD in Sept '03 when it finally appears. Is 'Into the Night' a great film? Probably not, but it makes me feel great everytime I take that ride to LAX in the little white Fiat...You had to be there.

An excellent little gem of a movie, perfect for vidoe-rental for late night. Landis's direction (and his star turn) are both crisp and well paced. Is Los Angeles a land of secret places and pleasures? Maybe yes, maybe not. Probably depends on who you know or how much money you have. But this little fantasy about a Californian bored with his job and unhappy in his marriage hits the notes as his all night adventure unfolds. Wonderful cameos from a slew of stars. Some excessive violence at times, but put there for a point, the point being the nature of Iran's old idiot-terror police, the Savak. Maybe Landis knows of wherefore he speaks.

As for nudity, almost enough. More would have been better. Vidiot after vidiot has tried to stop action vidcap the too fast shots of naked Michelle. The lovely Kathryn Harold keeps her clothes on but gets a gruesome Hollywood send-off, the single most difficult part of the film to watch. Don't hate this film if you don't get it. This is a dark L.A. story, not a comedy, but I rank it as one of the best late-night movies ever made.

Landis made the film he wanted to make and that's the first test of the director's skill. If you peruse thru the comments list and get past Mr. too-boring-for-him, then take my word and watch this film. It's perfect for a night when your troubles are keeping you up. The film has a lot to say.

In Los Angeles, the insomniac aerospace engineer Ed Okin (Jeff Goldblum) has a boring job and a cold relationship with his wife. One afternoon, Ed leaves his job earlier to rest and discovers that his wife Ellen (Stacey Pickren) is cheating him with her colleague Stan (Carmen Argenziano). During the night, Ed can not sleep and he decides to drive to the airport to kill time. When he parks in the parking lot of the airport, he sees a beautiful woman, Diana (Michelle Pfeiffer), chased by four Iranians. He helps her and drives away to her place. Sooner he discovers that Diana has smuggled six emeralds from Iran and now she is chased by the gang of Shaheen Parvici (Irene Papas) and by the dangerous British killer Colin Morris (David Bowie) that works for the French Monsieur Melville (Roger Vadim). Ed Okin has an unforgettable night with Diana.

"Into the Night" is one of my favorite movies of the 80's. I have just watched this film at least for the sixth time and Michelle Feiffer is stunningly gorgeous. The engaging story is funny and one attraction is to identify the cameo of directors and other personalities, such as David Cronenberg, John Landis, Don Siegel, Jonathan Demme, and Lawrence Kasdan working with names like Vera Miles, Irene Papas, David Bowie and Dan Aykroyd among others. The awesome music of B.B. King gives a touch of class to this wonderful film. My vote is nine.

Title (Brazil): "Um Romance Muito Perigoso" ("A Very Dangerous Romance")

Note: On 14 April 2019, I saw this film again.

This movie is a lighthearted romp! It is filled with laughs, some brilliant physical humor (who knew John Landis was a comic-action actor?), sudden surprises and a phenomenal cast.

And, as a little teaser to make you rent the theatrical version, Michelle Pfeiffer's only known nude scene! TSK, TSK, where she hid those gems!

Jeff Goldblum gives a deadpan performance that is perfect. It fits this movie, it fits his style, and at times it is just hilarious. Probably his best role ever.

The amazingly diverse cast includes Dan Aykroyd, David Bowie, Jim Henson, Paul Bartel, Carl Perkins, Bruce McGill (as Elvis!), Irene Papas, Vera Miles, Richard Farnsworth, Kathryn Harrold, Jake Steinfeld (Body By Jake) and even Clu Gulager! WOW!

But there's added richness for the film buff. Landis cast no fewer than 15 Hollywood directors in this film, plus himself! You can spot Lawrence Kasdan, Jonathan Demme, Paul Mazurski, Amy Heckerling, David Cronenberg, Roger Vadim, Jonathan Lynn, Jack Arnold, Don Siegel, Andrew Marton, Richard Franklin, Colin Higgins, Jonathan Kaufer and Carl Gottlieb.

Director Daniel Petrie even plays the director of a film-within-the-film, with the assistant director of this film, David Sosna, playing the assistant director of that film. There are cinematographers, writers and make-up artists, too, including Rick Baker, the first make-up artist ever to win an Oscar for his craft.

Too few people know about this sleeper. It's fast paced, funny and beautifully filmed. Rent it. You'll love it.

Jeff Goldblum plays a man with a boring job, a cheating wife, and insomnia. One night beautiful Michelle Pfeiffer enters his life on the run from trouble of her own. The two have a wild night ahead of them as they run from irate Iranians. That makes more sense than it sounds, trust me. Lots of cameos from directors such as David Cronenberg, Jonathan Demme, and Don Siegel. Also a fun cameo by David Bowie. Goldblum and Pfeiffer are great. A solid comedy from John Landis; good escapist fun. Great soundtrack including the title song from B.B. King. Also worth checking out for a very rare (but brief) Pfeiffer nude scene.