Into the Night (1985)

Holy cow everyone. I can't believe how great this film was and how nobody EVER talks about it. How is that possible? This is the very definition of a lost gem. And it's such a "different" type of film altogether. I wouldn't even know how to categorize it really because it's like a melting pot of different genres, but it works! It's like Scorcese's After Hours, only set in California in 1985. And make no mistake, this is a very California film and it's amazing. Every single frame is drenched in 80's Hollywood, CA nostalgia. But it carries very much the same tone as After Hours, so that should give you some indication as to what to expect.

While I do watch a lot of movies on a weekly basis, with a lot of them being great, I can't remember the last time I was this surprised, enthralled and in love with a film experience. It's one of the most amazing films I've ever seen, and some of the most fun I can remember having with a film. It's like a dark adventure, thriller, comedy (while not actually being funny), drama and romance, all mixed together in a way that very few films can actually do. I don't even know how you could possibly and effectively even advertise this, so I'm not entirely surprised that it didn't do well in the theater. What blows my mind is the fact that I'd never even heard of it until now. I mean, for someone who grew up on Landis films, and just cinema in general in the 80's, it's quite a feat, yet it happened. And really, it's a travesty. More people should know about this film, more should be aware. It's such a unique film altogether, and if you love cinema, obscure films, or even if you just love John Landis films, you owe it to yourself to check this out as soon as possible. And I'll say it again, it's unlike any film I've ever seen. It's kind of like a dark, surreal odyssey through 80's Hollywood in the span of about 2 nights, with so much happening and so much being thrown at you, all in a very unconventional way that you don't really know how to take it all in until it's over, and then it just kind of hits you all at once and you realized you just had one of the most interesting movie experiences you've ever had.

I absolutely loved and adored every single aspect of Into the Night, right down to it's title font. So much of this film just gets nearly everything right. John Landis, who has never been the most "visual" director, absolutely knocks it out of the park here, framing every scene in a very John Landis way, while also pushing his own envelope a bit, giving it more substance to every shot. I don't know how else to explain it, but if you're familiar with his very particular way of shooting, just imagine that but more, bigger, better and more impressive. Think of his work on The Blues Brothers, only more slick. Another surprising element is it's impressive soundtrack, led by........B.B. King of all people. And while that sounds a bit strange, to me at least, you'll be surprised how well his title song, complete with 80's synth (seriously!) fits the film so well. I had to keep asking myself "That's a B.B. King song??". I don't know if it was a trend he was riding in the mid 80's, but the synth background music that played along with his guitar and lyrics was magnificent, and encourages me to want to check out some of his stuff from around this time.

This was the first film John Landis directed after the Twili

Fmovies: This is an adventure/comedy which works perfectly. Goldblum plays the part of someone strolling around stunned perfectly here and to some extent, in all his parts. The supporting cast is ideal and the concept original.

There's a good deal of similarity here between this and the Melanie Griffith vehicle, 'Something Wild' which came out a year after 'Into the Night'. In both cases, everyday men are drawn into an increasingly bizarre circumstance so both are fish out of water movies.

I rate this more highly than 'Something Wild' which I enjoy too because the Griffith show changes tone from offbeat bizarre to mean and then does another turn at the very end. This maintains its tone throughout and the wrap up, when Goldblum finds out what it's all about is priceless.

I got my copy via Amazon for the cost of a single movie ticket. I view it as well worth the money.

Crazy adrenaline filled awesomeness all the way through! John Landis directed a goldmine about a couple people who get chased for diamonds by many people which adds a few great comedic moments. Pure blast highly recommend! Also Michele Pfeiffer is total hottie which is nice!

Into the Night fmovies. Plenty to enjoy here in this escapist movie. Goldblum & Pfeiffer are fun in the main roles. Suspend belief and take the exciting journey that Goldblum has with Pfeiffer. Look out for the running joke with many famous directors in cameo roles. Look out for David Bowie and Carl Perkins in a knife fight (is this a metaphor for traditional rock v glam rock?). Although an escape action drama it has plenty of amusing scenes eg. the hoods eating peanuts and breaking candy with their guns.

And the title track and soundtrack by the worlds best blues guitarist -BB King.

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.

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.