him. He has been doubling up in pain from what he thinks is an ulcer from the stress. He leaves work for a fateful drink at a beach dive bar. He lamely hits on a woman, whose boyfriend Michael does not back down from. Michael gets saved by Alex or Tony ? , played by Rob Lowe, who menacingly breaks a beer bottle and threatens the boyfriend. Alex we see at the beginning of the movie as leaving a beautiful woman's bed stealthily. The photo he destroys of him and the woman shooting guns together foreshadows the violence that comes later. Alex leaves Michael at the bar and Michael discovers his wallet is gone, but does not know how he lost it. While jogging later, Alex stops by the bar to leave his name for the wallet. He finishes his run at one of the L.A. piers, he sees Alex, who, of course, is with a woman pleading with him to stay with her. Alex blows off the woman and he and Michael have a drink together. Alex starts teaching him how to use the side of him that didn't back down to the gorilla at the bar. What ensues is a Freudian Cain and Abel story with Faustian overtones. Alex becomes Michael's tutor in the art of becoming a bad-ass, while Michael becomes something Alex hasn't had in quite some time: a friend. When Michael's backbone becomes strong enough to stand up to the unpredictably violent Alex, the movie becomes a cunning duel between two guys who know L.A. isn't big enough for both of them. The scenes of L.A.'s sinister club life and the people, like Alex, who thrive in it serve as superb snapshots of the decadence of the late-80s. The conspicuous consumption of yuppies and the advent of the home video camera as a sexual metaphor are wickedly exposed. This movie was simply ahead of its time. It's Rob Lowe's best work and James Spader is awesome, his transformation is expertly done. Plus, I'm eagerly awaiting Curtis Hanson's next movie. Has anyone ever captured the evil that lurks underneath the surface of L.A. better? "Bad Influence" is a must-see for the serious film enthusiast.

Christian Clemenson's character is almost a "Pepto-Bismol" anagram.Director Curtis Hanson's "Bad Influence" has been compared to Alfred Hitchcock's "Strangers on a Train" 1951 . The plot's comparison to Hitchcock's classic is justifiable, but Mr. Hanson makes "Bad Influence" look much more like "Psycho" 1960 . And, this story is clearly Faustian; "Alex" isn't merely psychopathic, he's evil incarnate. The deal Mr. Spader makes with "the Devil" involves help in beating Tony Maggio as Patterson out of a promotion at work, and weaseling out of a marriage with Marcia Cross as Ruth . "Come on down!" The only way "Mick" can defeat "Alex" is to send him plummeting back into the depths of Hell.It's always nice, when watching old movies, to stumble upon an undiscovered jewel, or even a lost masterpiece. "Bad Influence" is one of those films. The film had a relatively unheralded reception, when originally released; and, it received zero nominations from any of the major film awards groups. One of the problems may have been the media "scandal" erupting over the nearly simultaneous uncovering of a "sex tape" featuring Mr. Lowe. Presently, this sort of "publicity" would be planned to help the film, which includes Lowe's character in a similar situation; but, it was no publicity stunt.And, if you see Lowe with Spader in a bunny mask, that is a gun in his pocket.This was before celebrity Paris Hilton and FOX showed how to use the "celebrity sex tape" to their advantage - making Ms. Hilton and the network's "The Simple Life" hits. Lowe's appearance in a "Snow White" opening at the previous year's "Academy Awards", and his "teen idol" backlash didn't help. But, Lowe is terrific in "Bad Influence"; it should have established him as an "A-list" film actor. Ironically, co-star Spader had just received the same kind of career break, in the recent "sex, lies, and videotape" 1989 . Ah, those were the camcorder days… "Does anybody want an espresso?" With perfect performances, and a dazzling display of light and shadows, "Bad Influence" should have received six "Academy Award" nominations, including one for "Best Picture"; it is absolutely one of the best-looking films of its year, and surfaces as one of the more stylish looks at MTV generation. Those most responsible, director Hanson and cinematographer Robert Elswit, received "Oscars" for work on subsequent films. Writer David Koepp's screenplay is also excellent; to appreciate his story, and understand the L.A. scene depicted in "Bad Influence", simply use the code words given, to enter the film: "Dominant Athletic Female", "Gay White Male", "Fun-Loving Couple".********** Bad Influence 3/9/90 Curtis Hanson ~ Rob Lowe, James Spader, Christian Clemenson, Lisa Zane

start to change greatly and lots of interesting things seem to take place. It has a very very interesting ending. Enjoy!

first "bad guy" role. I also think this is a groundbreaking film for Spader as well. Even though he had tackled more challenging roles than Lowe in the 80s, this is really the first "good guy" role that Spader had played. The against-type casting works to great effect as I don't think the film would have been as nearly effective had their roles been reversed.Spader is a nerdy, shy, underconfident stock broker named Michael, who is engaged to an upper class girl Marcia Cross of "Desperate Housewives" fame . Life is good, simple, but very mundane and boring for Michael. In comes Alex Lowe's character who instills Michael with self-confidence, courage, and even sex appeal, molding him into his own image to a degree.The two men's "accidental" meeting early in the film at a seaside bar is a great setup for the rest of the film as it underscores the essence of each character. I also felt this scene was very realistic in the dialogue, character reactions, and outcome.Alex seems to be a drifter who doesn't stay in one place very long. In return for Michael putting him up for a while, Alex "mentors" Michael on being more assertive, confident, and uninhibited. First, Alex sets Michael up so that his fiancée dumps him. They end up hanging out at bars and ecstasy parties, then during one night, they meet Claire played by the alluring Lisa Zane . A triangle forms as Alex compels Claire to sleep with Michael while he himself has designs on her and she seems to prefer his dangerous sex appeal, but still is drawn to Michael's underlying sweet innocence. But one night things go a bit too far as Alex takes Michael along with him goes on a mini crime spree, robbing a liquor store, and beating up Michael's jerkish colleague but Michael doesn't remember . This is when Michael dumps Alex and tells him to get out of his life. Then things get deadly! BAD INFLUENCE was directed by Curtis Hanson who gained international fame years later with LA CONFIDENTIAL and his stylish touches and film noir mood and tone are evident throughout. This film was a sign that Hanson was going to become a major player in Hollywood. Lowe is very good at abandoning his "Brat Pack" persona and giving a real performance. He instills Alex with charm, sex appeal, and a sense of danger. Spader is equally excellent playing a genuine nice guy and conveys real vulnerability that he had never really displayed before this film. Highly recommended!

first Michael is happy to have Alex rearrange his life even managing to help abort his wedding plans in a hilarious scene. But when Alex beats up Michaels rival for the job promotion, claiming that an intoxicated Michael participated in the beating the friendship comes to an end. From this point on the mission for Alex is to destroy Michaels life ultimately framing him for a murder which is shown in an excellent "death by video" scene. Rob Lowes maniacal laughter as he stares into the camera post murder still chills me to the bone.From this point on it is a race to see who stays alive as Michael finally grows the balls that Alex had previously taunted him about.Another highlight is the eclectic musical score ranging from the LA underground club scene Skinny Puppy, The Nymphs to Etta James.Finally nice to see that the DVD has restored the bomb rigged to the car petrol tank scene. When the movie first came out on video in the UK the sensor removed this scene in case it was copied by someone!

apologia with Rob Lowe as the wronged victim - both cinematically and in his personal life although I do think he may well have been more sinned against than sinning on the personal front . It takes more courage and ultimately shows more integrity on the actor's part that he chose the harder option of the two and went for the unsympathetic role.Top marks for James Spader too in a fairly weak and unforgiving role.

in your life to appreciate this type of movie...regards...

that seems to play very snotty, unlikeable people. Maybe he's just good at play annoying characters.An odd character, and one that added to this film, was the guy Christian Clemenson who played Spader's older, stoned-out brother "Pismo." What a loser.....but an interesting person.I really was intrigued by this film the first time I saw it but less so in the next two viewings, finally trading this in for something else. But for one viewing, it's recommended for crime fans, or people who just plain like evil characters.