Permanent Midnight (1998)

What makes it different from others?

not horrible nor great

Boring

The first must-see film of the year.

This is such a well blended project, i seriously liked it. Ben Stiller was perfect for this role! Just the right type of personality, definitely not exactly a light hearted movie, just as Jerry Stahl's true life however, he wrote it so well those of us who understand his point can appreciate his story. I did, and i wouldn't change one word. Ben is seen in such a way here i believe he hasn't played anything similar since. I was surprised with certain scenes but happily! I am thankful to share insight into the personal life of this deep intelligent man who was behind the scenes in my youth per say. They even resemble each other so much. Mr. Veloz struck gold here, Elizabeth is a delight, i love her. It was fun to watch for me! I agree so underrated shame. I plan to read the books, and also the Beautiful lil girl playing Nina at the end was so adorable WOW! She reminded me of a cherub .. I couldn't locate her name, ethereal how she behaved , what a fantastic cast, she deserves recognition awe. Everyone involved did fabulous! It should be re-released ??? Needs awards !! BRAVO

The trials and tribulations of a junkie TV writer: but who cares? And Ben Stiller in sex scenes with attractive women? I don't think so. Well, Bello and Hurley aren't exactly prime beauties, but for Stiller they're goddesses. This ugly little runt, though not a bad actor, should play nothing else but ugly little runts. Logical. The movie has some of that "casual-flow" dialogue but it comes off all wrong and too forced; a shtick used much better by its more-or-less inventors, Altman and Allen. There isn't really that much going on in this mediocre, forgettable movie; certainly some humour could have done it some good. The movie ultimately has a very tired point to make: "just say no". I have a better one: "just say no to Stiller in a sex scene".

Permanent Midnight,First-Viewing, owned pirated DVD,(David Veloz)- Ben Stiller, Elizabeth Hurley, Maria Bello, Janeane Garafalo, Owen WilsonAn interesting true story of a TV writer (Stiller) who's heroin addiction causes him to go from a successful TV writer to working at McDonald's. This is David Veloz's directorial debut, and only film for that matter (watch this film and you will know why). The directing is not professional, and the transition between past and present is almost impossible to recognize, (is he telling us its not important?). Stiller gives a relatively good performance, didn't think he could handle a serious role like this, he wasn't bad, atlhough not great, as the script was pretty boring. The rest of the cast are OK, Owen Wilson is probably the stand-out, as Stiller's best friend. Overall, the screenplay was boring, the direction was not good, and the cast was convincing but not that great since the roles were pretty dull. It could have been much better, had someone like Charlie Kaufman wrote it (he wrote the amazing script for the story of Chuck Barris, a game show host in George Clooney's 'Confessions of a Dangerous Mind'. 7/10

Probably one of the best movies about drugs that I've ever seen. An excellent performance by Ben Stiller in one of his most serious roles. If you want to see a movie that portrays the life-style associated with drugs accurately, watch this movie.