From Deseret News archives:
Light Sleeper
Film review
"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.
"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.
Cast: Willem Dafoe, Susan Sarandon, Dana Delany, David Clennon, Mary Beth Hurt.
Find a Movie Theater
- Holiday television program listings 1:02 a.m.
- Williams, Rose celebrate by playing 12:46 a.m.
- Utes to get tested by Illinois 12:40 a.m.
- Cougs to host Weber St. 12:39 a.m.
- Efforts to save a life praised 12:29 a.m.
- Settle fights, set tone of marriage 12:28 a.m.
- Clearfield balking at UTA plan 12:26 a.m.
- New administration bldg for Davis 12:26 a.m.
- Gallery: Thanksgiving in Utah 12:14 a.m.
- National news briefs 12:12 a.m.
- Man trapped in Nutty Putty cave dies
- Rivalry has had some 'turkeys'
- Holiday television program listings
- Highland players make special friend
- Temple Square to use LEDs
- Salt Lake City woman shot
- Matt Reynolds vs. Koa Misi
- Provo star leads Bulldogs to win
- Missions teach players perseverance
- Cave rescuers committed to free man
- BYU would like friendlier rivalry
262 - Protests against Phoenix LDS temple
211 - RSL wins MLS Cup on penalty kicks
202 - Bronco, Kyle rubber match
139 - Thunder rolls by Jazz
136 - Letters: Rushing to judge Palin
132 - Boys basketball rankings
117 - Editorial: Poor welcome for Palin
112 - Hall, Johnson matchup key
102 - Man trapped in Nutty Putty cave dies
98
Can someone please tell me which top 10 team Max has won? I hope the Jeff...
The old recipie for good economy is to just cut taxes to spur investment and...
Respect? Why show respect for another human being who's opinions and...
The problem is, Sarah Palin ist not a competent politician. She begs to be...
Please do tell which of his facts were stupid? Your best ever got smocked at...
Honestly. Kyle cannot be moved with the contract. I would rather see CJ<...
So many conclusions, based on false assumptions, so many haters, with...
If Carlos continues to play like this instead of hearing "boo" at ESA, maybe...
With all that tradition they can't seem to compete on the national stage....
Hint: You notice (like I predicted) no mention of any Jazz interest in...



