Risky Business

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1:21

Risky Business

R

1983

1h 36m

Comedy

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Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

93%

Tomatometer

54 Reviews

73%

Popcornmeter

50,000+ Ratings

Ecstatic when his parents leave on vacation for a few days, high school senior Joel Goodsen (Tom Cruise) cuts loose with his best friend Miles. After an attempt at securing the services of a prostitute goes slightly awry, Joel hires gorgeous Lana (Rebecca De Mornay) for a night of delight. Stunned by the amount of Lana's "bill" the next morning, Joel grows frantic after he crashes his father's Porsche. In an effort to raise lots of money fast, a desperate Joel turns the house into a brothel.

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Critics Consensus

Featuring one of Tom Cruise's best early performances, Risky Business is a sharp, funny examination of teen angst that doesn't stop short of exploring dark themes.

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Chuck Bowen

Slant Magazine

07/22/2024

Is the film a satire of consumerism or an example of it? It’s both and the better for it.

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David Denby

New York Magazine/Vulture

12/31/2019

Risky Business, a movie about a nice boy losing his virginity, is a first-time director's clear failure that I normally wouldn't get belligerent about, but the picture is so confused, so strange, and so openly corrupt that I can't resist.

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Dave Kehr

Chicago Reader

08/06/2007

One of the finest film explorations of the end of innocence.

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Katie Hogan

She Likes Movies

11/13/2024

Risky Business is entertaining and though would never have worked outside its release era, there’s still many laughs to be had.

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Dennis Schwartz

Dennis Schwartz Movie Reviews

09/02/2024

B

What the f---!

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Matt Brunson

Film Frenzy

08/01/2024

3.5/4

From Screwballs to Hardbodies, the eighties were jam-packed with inane teen sex comedies -- rest assured, Risky Business is not one of them.

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William

Dec 8

Funny with some iconic scenes

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Gustavo R

Nov 29

.....................

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Jack F

@MovieFan111 Nov 17

So much fun seeing Cruise get his start. Best season to watch is on a cold winters night. Dirty dirty concept though...

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Jess S

Aug 27

The underscore to this film is so emotive and perfectly chosen. The characters played by Cruise and De Mornay are so tangible and so well played. Perfectly nostalgic of the 80s and the feeling of being young and free. Would recommend it to anyone who wants a meaningful film that's original with charm. The plot line can feel slightly rushed and clunky briefly but overall is a fabulous evening watch to feel good and reminisce.

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M P.

@MovieLoverPassion Jul 3

Rewatched after many years and this film still holds up 42 years later. Iconic. Just delicious. It’s smart, whitty, funny and filmed beautifully. A star is truly born in Tom’s performance. His character development of Joel from innocent teen to… well watch the film is extraordinary. Oh & Tom’s charisma and killer smile 😋.

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Zach W.

@zwreviews Jun 26

Written and directed by Paul Brickman, Risky Business chronicles the continuously chaotic and escalating problems of a teenager home alone while his parents are out of town. It is interesting to see Tom Cruise in a role so drastically different than his most recent roles. Cruise captivates with his subtle transformation from youthful innocence to provocativeness and adulthood. Risky Business features a story that builds conflict around the relatable feelings of attraction, sexuality, and intimacy. Though the tone is awkward and slightly uncomfortable at times, the dynamic between Tom Cruise and Rebecca De Mornay is compelling enough to remain intriguing. The strength of Risky Business derives from its script. Though the story is a simple one, the exploration of desperation is profound in its ability to capture one of the many complexities of growing up. It’s clear from 1983 that Tom Cruise had something special in the industry. His line deliveries and overall persona is charming, but it’s his emotional range that stands out in this role as Joel. While Risky Business is a fun balance of chaos, humor, and emotion, the story does feel repetitive and underwhelming by its conclusion. Overall, Risky Business is a special blend of immature shenanigans and insatiable curiosity. Tom Cruise is electric and Paul Brickman crafts a compelling story despite its simplicity and anticlimactic final act.

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Paul Brickman

Director

Tom Cruise

Joel Goodsen

Rebecca De Mornay

Lana

Bronson Pinchot

Barry

Joe Pantoliano

Guido

Richard Masur

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Risky Business: Trailer 1

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Synopsis

Ecstatic when his parents leave on vacation for a few days, high school senior Joel Goodsen (Tom Cruise) cuts loose with his best friend Miles. After an attempt at securing the services of a prostitute goes slightly awry, Joel hires gorgeous Lana (Rebecca De Mornay) for a night of delight. Stunned by the amount of Lana's "bill" the next morning, Joel grows frantic after he crashes his father's Porsche. In an effort to raise lots of money fast, a desperate Joel turns the house into a brothel.

Director: Paul Brickman
Producer: Jon Avnet, Steve Tisch
Screenwriter: Paul Brickman
Distributor: Warner Home Vídeo, Warner Bros.
Production Co: Geffen Pictures
Rating: R
Genre: Comedy
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Aug 5, 1983, Original
Release Date (Streaming): Sep 1, 2008
Runtime: 1h 36m
Sound Mix: Dolby, Surround

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