Todfreunde – Bad Influence (1990)

Todfreunde – Bad Influence: Directed by Curtis Hanson. With Rob Lowe, James Spader, Lisa Zane, Marcia Cross. A soft and hesitant young man is in danger when tries to break toxic relationships with a mysterious stranger claiming to be his friend.

“Bad Influence is directed by Curtis Hanson and written by David Koepp. It stars Rob Lowe, James Spader, Lisa Zane and Christian Clemenson. Music is by Trevor Jones and cinematography by Robert Elswit.u003cbr/u003eu003cbr/u003eMichael Boll (Spader) is the ultimate milquetoast. Alex (Lowe) is something altogether different. When Alex introduces himself into Michaelu0026#39;s life, Michael finds from within a boldness he didnu0026#39;t know existed. But Alexu0026#39;s life lessons may just come at a cost…u003cbr/u003eu003cbr/u003eTell me what you want more than anything else in the world.u003cbr/u003eu003cbr/u003eThe 90s began in a neo-norish haze for one time brat-packers Spader and Lowe. For Spader it was another chance to show, after 1989u0026#39;s Sex, Lies and Videotape, that he could do drama very well. For Lowe it was a case of dusting off his off screen misdemeanours to self mockingly portray the bad boy playing the bad boy. With future L.A. Confidential helmer Hanson in the chair overseeing things, Bad Influence rounded out as a sneaky bit of grit. It didnu0026#39;t make any great waves back on release, but itu0026#39;s a film that holds up surprisingly well these days, particularly as an 80s noir snapshot.u003cbr/u003eu003cbr/u003eThematically picture asks us if everyone has the devil inside them if prompted or manipulated from outside sources? Alexu0026#39;s motives are intentionally left sketchy, we are in no doubt from the opening credits that heu0026#39;s untrustworthy, yet who he is or what heu0026#39;s really about are questions left hanging in the air. A good looking charmer without doubt, and thanks to Spaderu0026#39;s uber wimp beginnings, we find ourselves urging Alex on as he slots a spine into Michaelu0026#39;s back. Thereu0026#39;s a decidedly nasty edge to the Koepp screenplay that lets the actors excel in their respective transformations, and with the mood set at simmer, story unfolds and lets the Doppleganger motif kick in. From here on in itu0026#39;s now a question for the viewers of how itu0026#39;s going to resolve itself?u003cbr/u003eu003cbr/u003eCall me Mick.u003cbr/u003eu003cbr/u003eHanson paints it in sweaty metallic strokes, interiors of Michaelu0026#39;s condo portray yuppie claustrophobia, exteriors of nighttime L.A. are classic noir; where the bright lights of the city are eyes observing Michaelu0026#39;s transformation and the salty whiff of the pier and the sea hover over the telling periods of dialogue. True enough to say that Bad Influence, and its director, owe a huge debt to past masters, notably something like Strangers on a Train, but the update works very well, particularly in the context of maintaining a continued sense of tension. The humour that lives and breathes in the picture is nicely placed, adding a bit of salt to an already spicy broth, and thereu0026#39;s even the delicate hint of an old noir favourite, potential man crush.u003cbr/u003eu003cbr/u003eThe build up isnu0026#39;t matched by the pay off, but even then thereu0026#39;s enough of a bite to warrant respect. Far better than some internet ratings suggest it is, and certainly undervalued in the neo-noir pantheon, Bad Influence is well worth reevaluating in this new age of cinema. 7.5/10”