From Deseret News archives:

Light Sleeper

Published: Tuesday, Sept. 29, 1992 12:00 a.m. MDT
 |  E-MAIL | PRINT | FONT + - 

"Light Sleeper" shows writer-director Paul Schrader's character-development skills in full bloom.

Best known for his screenplays of Martin Scorsese films ("Raging Bull," "Taxi Driver"), though he's been writing and directing his own films for some years ("The Comfort of Strangers," "Hardcore"), Schrader once again explores life's seamy side.

The story focuses on a drug-dealer (Willem Dafoe) who, on the verge of 40, has cleaned up his act and is trying to get his life together. But when his boss (Susan Sarandon) prepares to leave the business, he realizes he's climbing into middle age with nothing to show for his life.

About this time he also meets up once again with his ex-wife (Dana Delany), who wants nothing more to do with him but who finds herself nonetheless drawn to him in a self-destructive way.

At its best, Schrader's screenplay probes the psyche of yet another of life's losers, one who is on the edge and about to be tipped off - one way or the other. But his directing instincts are a bit too gloomy and laconic so that when the ultimate violent showdown does occur, it seems inevitable in story structure yet somehow out of sync with the overall tone.

Story continues below

"Light Sleeper" is rated R for violence, sex, nudity, profanity andvulgarity.

Recent comments

3 stars my butt! For the sex scene with Willem Dafoe and
Dana...

June Henry | June 9, 1999 at 3:19 p.m.

Movie Info
Rated R for violence, profanity, vulgarity, nudity, sex.

Cast: Willem Dafoe, Susan Sarandon, Dana Delany, David Clennon, Mary Beth Hurt.
FIND LOCAL MOVIE SHOWTIMES
previousnext

Latest comments

True. It's not terribly funny and if it has any effect on society, it won't...

Letters: Christian founders

What else would you expect to find in a book called "The Founders on Religion"?

5A: Davis runs over Hunter

Ok not to be rude here, but check the stats, Hinds isnt first in yards and...

t-hinds = best player in utah

Anonymous: Was that English? I though conservatives believed if you are in...

Attack meant to kill apostle

Wow! Glad the Lord kept you safe. Separate comment: That was a horrible...

5A: Bingham rolls to title game

I have never been to a Utah high school game before as I am not from the...

Sponsor for gay-rights bills found

It would behoove the above commenters to recall that religion, including our...

Vandals take advantage of young Utes

Only 8000 attendance? BYU had 16,000+ tonight. What is wrong with Ute fans?...

ian you are the 3A MVP If you win next week so just do it that would be nice....

Advertisements
Advertisement