Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: SATURDAY, March 10, 1990 TAG: 9003102589
SECTION: EXTRA PAGE: E-8 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: CHRIS GLADDEN STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
Spader made the kinky videos in the modestly-budgeted hit "sex, lies and videotape."
Lowe filmed his own sexual antics in real life and stirred up a scandal when the other participants made the tapes public.
Ironically, the plot of "Bad Influence" relies in part on sexual antics on videotape.
Directed by Curtis Hanson, "Bad Influence" is a nifty psychological thriller that keeps its dangerous edge throughout. Hanson and writer David Koepp unfold the story with just the right velocity.
Spader plays Michael Boll, a mild-mannered financial analyst with a bright, buttoned down future that includes an over-organized fiance and a good job. The trouble with Michael, though, is his tendency to go along. A competitive fellow worker sabotages Michael's work and Michael really doesn't want to marry. But he can't bring himself to confront his enemy or to extricate himself from his engagement.
However, Michael gets some lessons in assertiveness training from an unlikely source. Drinking away his problems in a bar one afternoon, Michael is assaulted and a tough guy his age comes to the rescue. The guy's name is Alex and he and Michael become acquainted. Played by Rob Lowe, Alex has a mysterious past and he seems to know how to order Michael's life better than Michael. He sets Michael up with a worldly young woman (Lisa Zane) and advises him how to defeat his business rival.
By the time that the realization sinks in that Alex is not only dangerous but probably mentally disturbed, Michael has lost control of his own life.
"Bad Influence" not only features plenty of suspense, it serves as a travelogue to the kind of fast-lane West Coast decadence that finally hooks Michael into Alex's world. Not only is there mystery in the plot but both Alex and the woman played by Zane are exotic mysteries to Michael.
Spader is convincing and sympathetic, a yuppie without arrogance who becomes intoxicated by his new-found self confidence. Lowe is properly sinister. And Christian Clemenson adds a realistic dimension to the movie as Michael's pot-smoking, under-achieving brother.
"Bad Influence" turns out to be a good slice of film noir suspense.
`Bad Influence A Triumph release at Valley View Mall 6 (362-8219) and Salem Valley 8 (389-0444). An hour and 45 minutes. Rated R for nudity, language, violence and sexual content.
by CNB