Light Sleeper

Starring:Willem Dafoe, Susan Sarandon, Dana Delany, David Clennon, Mary Beth Hurt, Victor Garber, Jane Adams (II), Paul Jabara, Robert Cicchini, Sam Rockwell, Rene Rivera, David Spade, Steven Posen, Ken Ladd, Brian Judge, Vince Capone, Christopher Northup, Paul Stocker, Bernadette Jurkowski, Tatiana von Furstenberg
Director: Paul Schrader
Studio: Lions Gate
Product Type: DVD

Amazon.com

This compelling 1992 drama is often cited as the third film in writer-director Paul Schrader's trilogy of "nocturnal alienation" that includes Martin Scorsese's Taxi Driver (which Schrader wrote) and American Gigolo. Like those other films, this one deals with a solitary man who works almost exclusively at night, and the film immerses us in the rhythms and psychology of his lifestyle. In this case, Willem Dafoe plays a cocaine addict who has kicked the habit that almost killed him, but still delivers drugs to clients for a dealer (Susan Sarandon) who dreams of opening a legitimate cosmetics business. He meets an old lover (Dana Delany) who fears he will draw her into their old life of drug abuse, but that proves to be the least of their worries. Simultaneously sad, funny, and fascinating, the film inevitably leads to the outburst of violence that has become a kind of signature in Schrader's work. It lacks the visceral impact of Taxi Driver, but few directors can match Schrader's gift for creating fully realized characters on the fringes of a society to which they don't quite belong. Insomnia, in Schrader's world, is a condition suffered by those whose dreams remain elusive, just beyond their grasp. --Jeff Shannon

Customer Reviews:

Hidden Treasure for film fans.......2005-08-26

The previous reviews of this film are great, so I won't praddle on - just want to add a couple notes. Though I'm a Schrader fan and film buff, I was never aware that this "Trilogy" existed and enjoyed this film on its own. This film is not Taxi Driver, one of the greatest American films ever made, but it also does not carry the over-bearing weight of that film, and can be "enjoyed", with an anti-hero which we can more readily identify. The style is minimalist with great visual touches and choices by Schrader (with some moments that are quiet but extremely revealing), fun dialogue and interesting characters. The subtext dealing with aging drug dealer DeFoe's insomniac character LaTour, confronting his "lost dreams" as the "garbage" of his past piles up (set against a New York waste haulers' strike) is compelling and strong thematically. Anybody over 30 who's given a moments thought to their life's choices and where they're going can identify. Sarandon and Delaney are in top form. Yes, the ending is a bit forced with some over-violence and a bit of a leap in logic (the relationship between DeFoe and Sarandan is not established well enough to warrant his expressions at the end). Still, great film any fan of existential cinema should appreciate. By the way...DeFoe's character is named John LaTour - Latour was the name of the Marquis de Sade's valet!

Its climax seems to belong to another movie.......2005-05-20

John LeTour (Willem Dafoe) is a recovered drug addict who spends his lonely life drifting around the city by night, delivering drugs for his boss, Ann (Susan Sarandon). He worries about his future, but he is firmly enmeshed in a lifestyle from which escape does not seem like a realistic option. A bit of hope creeps back into his life when he encounters an old flame (Dana Delany) from his days as a user and the possibility of rekindled romance becomes his lifeline. This is a very low-key film for most of its length, but its climactic explosion of violence provides a jarring change of pace that plays as if writer/director Paul Schrader couldn't figure out how to end the film. Delany's character is rather off-handedly changed from a figure with real dramatic purpose to a mere plot point that sets up the justification for a bloodbath. The performances are excellent and Schrader is a talented filmmaker, but he falters here./

Paul Schrader grows into being something of an optimist.......2005-04-13

The irony is that while an obvious case can be made that the best way to appreciate Paul Schrader's 1992 drama "Light Sleeper" is to have seen the previous two entries in his "nocturnal alienation" trilogy, "Taxi Driver" and "American Gigolo," those comparisons are the Achilles heel for the film as well. The commonalities between the angry young Travis Bickle, the narcissistic Julian Kay, and Willem Dafoe's John LeTour are obvious since they are loners with a variety of night jobs. But what is more important is the way Schrader's archetypal hero has progressed over the course of these three films to the point where this last version is able to take stock of his life and realize he is actually looking forward to something in his life.

This is rather difficult for LaTour because the omnipresent fact of this film is that his past is close behind. Although he has stopped doing drugs, he does deliveries for his boss lady, Ann (Susan Sarandon), who keeps threatening to go legit and do cosmetics rather than sell drugs. The other person delivering drugs to Ann's upscale clientele is Robert (David Clennon), and he is interested in changing careers too. So far the change is just all talk but LaTour starts wondering about his own future and does not see much of one. When he is not "working" he spends his time filling up stacks of composition books while drinking wine. He has tried being an actor and dreams of being a musician, but apparently has not noticed that he is actually a writer.

The catalyst for change becomes a couple of chance encounters with his old girl friend, Marianne (Dana Delany), who does not really want to remember the good times they shared when they were both addicts. She is back in town to sit by the bedside of her dying mother at a local hospital and LaTour becomes captivated by the idea that she represents the road not taken and an opportunity for him to change his life. But even though he is able to get back into her bed and have a moment of sheer happiness, Marianne cannot see him as a good future. For her, he is only a reminder of a bad past, and although his heart and motives are pure he is a slippery slope for her despite his best intentions.

The problem is that at the moment of crisis it is hard not to see Schrader's film as returning to territory quite similar to the final reel of "Taxi Driver." I liked the optimistic revelations of LaTour's final speech in the film, but how we get from the film's low point to the prospect of a happy ending somewhere down the road is missing the necessary causal connections to make the conclusion truly fulfilling. Fortunately the performances cover the narrative gaps as Schrader spins his little morality play about the decline and fall of the drug culture. There is never really a point where Dafoe's character is a bad person and the same can be said for Sarandon's as well, while it is Delany whose character jumps the rails when she is being asked to anchor another person's life. "Light Sleeper" is the weakest part of this faux trilogy, but it has value both as that last act and on its own terms.

"It's cologne. I'm a sucker for that airplane stuff.".......2004-11-04

This movie really is a mixed bag. I'd been looking for it for years, and I suppose expectations had far exceeded the actual film. Paul Schrader never fails to deliver in terms of gritty reality with some actual morals ("Taxi Driver", of course, is the best example), so maybe I expected another "Taxi".

The amazing thing about this film is the sharp, sharp contrast between the plot and the way the characters act. William Dafoe plays a drugdealer, and Susan Sarandon plays his main connection, but at no point do we see either of them as villains. Eating Chinese, yucking it up, laughing with one another about the old days and certain forms of art, there are moments when you think you're watching a sitcom rather than a movie about a guy with a vendetta trying to climb out of the sewer of dealing/addiction.

John (Dafoe's character) has some real bright shiny moments, and I'm not kidding. It's like he's the Mr. Rogers of drugdealers. This fat guy is whigging out on coke and crystal meth and Dafoe goes, "I remember when your wife was here, when you had a life. Come on". What is he, a drug counselor? The jazz music just don't work as well as it did in "Taxi", because nothing is really going on that seems all that dreadful.

There is a reality check, however, amongst the "Friends" atmosphere the film creates. Dafoe's former lover, who now shuns him, gets strung out after her mother dies and jump off a hotel balcony owned by one of Susan Sarandon's customers. Hence Dafoe's decision to buy a gun.

I have to say I've never seen anything quite like this. It manages to turn drugdealers into characters from "Today's Special". It doesn't glorify it or not glorify it. You have to see this movie to believe it.

Humane.......2003-07-14

Unusual in the usual world of American movie theater. Thought provoking and very consequential, certainly not unpredictable but somehow enriching and very humane. The characters of drug dealers turn out to be very likeable and egzistential.
There are many weaknesses in this plot - violent end seems to be repeating "Taxi Driver" in a sort of casual "Crime And Punishment" way, nevertheless it is very simplistic. Drug dealer is apparently more in a character of Paul Schreader than a realistic immersion into the psyche of a drug dealer. The main character narates too much as if we have a problem to understand his actions, unnecessary in my view. And there is a genuine bad guy as if to create the vent for the eventual explosion at the end. He is reduced to inhumanity perhaps to underline the humanity of others that some of us would have trouble accepting. All in all few weak places and yet because these types of intelligent movies are so rare, it is so much beyond the typical Holywood entertainment sewer. All the actors are doing great work as expected.

Average customer rating:

WONDERFUL!
The Worst Excuse For A Movie Ever!
lame
A real surprise...
Laugh, Cry totally cuteness

Olive Juice
Starring: Leighanne Littrell , James Berlau , Michael Hartson , Ginger King , and Jay Love
Director: Ken Hastings
Manufacturer: Lions Gate
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

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Customer Reviews:

WONDERFUL!.......2002-06-24

for an independant film, this was great! i loved the movie as soon as i started watching it. DJ Dan is fantastic!

i do think they over publicised brian littrell and aj mclean's appearances in the film, but it was still a great movie. lil' tyke was my favorite. he was so cute!

leighanne is a great actress. she is beautiful and can act. she really got into her role and i really liked that.

it is a really great movie and i recommend it to everyone!

The Worst Excuse For A Movie Ever!.......2002-06-13

Last Saturday, me and my b/f were bored. So, we decided to rent
some videos, 'cause his mom was away and his dad was
at work. Anyway, we went to the rental place nearest
his house. We got some movies. One of the movies we got was Olive Juice. I'm ashamed to admit this,
but part of the reason we got OJ was my b/f, I know I
worried about this too, thought the girl on the cover was
cute. Speaking of the cover, I felt so bad for James
Berlou, the only real actor, he got like 1/16 of the

cover if that. When we got back to his home we decided
to see OJ first. First off, my b/f kept asking where
did the chick from the box go. I told him 'michelle',
Leighnne's part, was the girl. He kept asked how her nose
got so big. He looked digusted everytime he saw her
profile. Also, he kept saying she had a ton of wrinkles.
God, she looked like 43 in this movie. His dad came home early. His dad came in around half way through the movie. He kept
asking who the actors were, because he knew they weren't
famous. The part he came in on was the part were the
black doctor brought a watermelon to the funeral. My
God, I thought he was gonna [potty] his pants laughing.
In his own words, "Ok, it's SUPPOSE to be a funeral.
Which usually is a sad thing, and they decide to have a
black man come in carrying a watermelon. Besides,
that's racist." I really don't see how it's racist, but
I do agree it's funny. Funerals aren't suppose to
be funny. Speaking of death, when Leigh's character
finds out her mom died she couldn't even cry. No tears.
Not even a sniffle. She just layed in the mom's bed
and closed her eyes and like shaked while the black
doctor, same guy who brought the watermelon to the
funeral, looked at her like 'WTF?'. Then, they show this
black dj, I forgot his name, peeing in someone's
backyard and riding a bike like he's a retard. I hope some
idoit actually does something like that and sues the
idoits who put out OJ. The end scene they stop

Michelle's moving van, which she's driving, and her and
Kneeler, James Berlou's character, makeout on the back of
the van. Then, Kneeler talks while the screen goes
black. God, this movie [stunk].

lame.......2002-06-10

This movie was slow, predictable and quite frankly stupid. It had good intentions, but didn't pull them off very well. It totally trades on lead actress Leighann Littrell's famous Backstreet Boy husband, Brian and fellow Backstreet Boy, A.J. McClean (both of whom appear in the movie). I can see why it never made it to the theaters.

A real surprise..........2002-05-09

I had vision's been a bit bored when i was gonna watch this, but i was really surprised with how good and sweet Leigh Anne Littrell was. I had heard some bad reviews from other people, but it was a sweet romantic comedy that really touched the heart. Yes, i am a BSB fan, but you really don't have to be to watch this. She's an inspiring actress, and i hope that she'll be in more movie's really soon!!!

Laugh, Cry totally cuteness.......2002-01-22

This movie was great for an independant film. Good muci in it. The actors were funny and very realistic and believable. Of course highlights were seeing AJ as DJ Nasty and Brian asa the Carriage driver "in training". But also Leighanne was great for her first role. I felt she was both believable and entertaining. I laughed, I cried and I loved it. Also note worthy is the cameo by Leighanne and Brian's dog Tyke, he sees more screen time then AJ or Bri!

Average customer rating:

Hidden Treasure for film fans
Its climax seems to belong to another movie
Paul Schrader grows into being something of an optimist
"It's cologne. I'm a sucker for that airplane stuff."
Humane

Light Sleeper [Region 2]
Starring: Willem Dafoe , Susan Sarandon , Dana Delany , David Clennon , and Mary Beth Hurt
Director: Paul Schrader
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

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ASIN: B000059Z3K

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Customer Reviews:

Hidden Treasure for film fans.......2005-08-26

Its climax seems to belong to another movie.......2005-05-20

Paul Schrader grows into being something of an optimist.......2005-04-13

"It's cologne. I'm a sucker for that airplane stuff.".......2004-11-04

Humane.......2003-07-14

Average customer rating:

Hidden Treasure for film fans
Its climax seems to belong to another movie
Paul Schrader grows into being something of an optimist
"It's cologne. I'm a sucker for that airplane stuff."
Humane

Light Sleeper [Region 2]
Starring: Willem Dafoe , Susan Sarandon , Dana Delany , David Clennon , and Mary Beth Hurt
Director: Paul Schrader
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

General | Drama | Genres | DVD | Video

DVDs Under $9.99 | Today's Deals in DVD | Special Features | DVD | Video

( L ) | Titles | Features | DVD | Video
Similar Items:

Hardcore
Live Nude Girls
Exit to Eden
Twilight
Night Moves

ASIN: B000087I23

Amazon.com

Customer Reviews:

Hidden Treasure for film fans.......2005-08-26

Its climax seems to belong to another movie.......2005-05-20

Paul Schrader grows into being something of an optimist.......2005-04-13

"It's cologne. I'm a sucker for that airplane stuff.".......2004-11-04

Humane.......2003-07-14

Average customer rating:

Hidden Treasure for film fans
Its climax seems to belong to another movie
Paul Schrader grows into being something of an optimist
"It's cologne. I'm a sucker for that airplane stuff."
Humane

Light Sleeper
Starring: Willem Dafoe , Susan Sarandon , Dana Delany , David Clennon , and Mary Beth Hurt
Director: Paul Schrader
Manufacturer: Geneon [Pioneer]
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

Crime | Action & Adventure | Genres | DVD | Video

General | Action & Adventure | Genres | DVD | Video

General | Drama | Genres | DVD | Video

Crime & Criminals | Drama | Genres | DVD | Video

( L ) | Titles | Features | DVD | Video
Similar Items:

Hardcore
Live Nude Girls
Exit to Eden
Twilight
Night Moves

ASIN: B00000EZXC
Release Date: 1998-12-29

Amazon.com

Description

John LeTour (Willem Dafoe) is a good man in a bad business, working for Ann (Susan Sarandon) on the wrong side of the law. When Ann decides to close up shop, LeTour has to go straight and discover his own future. But time is running out on him as he must dodge the cops, confront a killer, and find his heart before he can leave his past behind. Willem Dafoe, Susan Sarandon

Customer Reviews:

Hidden Treasure for film fans.......2005-08-26

Its climax seems to belong to another movie.......2005-05-20

Paul Schrader grows into being something of an optimist.......2005-04-13

"It's cologne. I'm a sucker for that airplane stuff.".......2004-11-04

Humane.......2003-07-14

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