Home
search
more | tips
IMDb > The Boost (1988)
The Boost
Quicklinks
Top Links
trailers and videosfull cast and crewtriviaofficial sitesmemorable quotes
Overview
main detailscombined detailsfull cast and crewcompany creditstv schedule
Awards & Reviews
user commentsexternal reviewsnewsgroup reviewsawardsuser ratingsparents guiderecommendationsmessage board
Plot & Quotes
plot summaryplot synopsisplot keywordsAmazon.com summarymemorable quotes
Fun Stuff
triviagoofssoundtrack listingcrazy creditsalternate versionsmovie connectionsFAQ
Other Info
merchandising linksbox office/businessrelease datesfilming locationstechnical specslaserdisc detailsDVD detailsliterature listingsNewsDesk
Promotional
taglines trailers and videos posters photo gallery
External Links
showtimesofficial sitesmiscellaneousphotographssound clipsvideo clips

The Boost (1988) More at IMDbPro »

Photos (see all 9 | slideshow)

Overview

User Rating:
5.8/10   804 votes
MOVIEmeter: ?
Down 28% in popularity this week. See rank & trends on IMDbPro.
Director:
Harold Becker
Writers (WGA):
Ben Stein (book)
Darryl Ponicsan (screenplay)
Contact:
View company contact information for The Boost on IMDbPro.
Release Date:
23 December 1988 (USA) more
Genre:
Drama | Romance more
Tagline:
Imagine having all the power, passion and pleasure money can buy. Now imagine losing them. more
Plot:
Lenny Brown moves to California to find his fortune in tax shelter investments. When the federal government changes the tax laws... more | add synopsis
Awards:
1 nomination more
NewsDesk:
Sean Young Withdraws Diary From Sale
 (From WENN. 12 April 2002)

User Comments:
Woods at his finest more

Cast

  (Cast overview, first billed only)

James Woods ... Lenny Brown

Sean Young ... Linda Brown

John Kapelos ... Joel Miller
Steven Hill ... Max Sherman
Kelle Kerr ... Rochelle

John Rothman ... Ned
Amanda Blake ... Barbara

Grace Zabriskie ... Sheryl
Marc Poppel ... Mark
Fred McCarren ... Tom
Suzanne Kent ... Helen
Libby Boone ... Delores
Greg Deason ... Michael
David N. Preston ... Surfer (as David Preston)
June Chandler ... Secretary
more
Create a character page for: ?

Additional Details

Runtime:
95 min
Country:
USA
Language:
English
Color:
Color
Aspect Ratio:
1.85 : 1 more
Sound Mix:
Dolby
Certification:
Australia:R | USA:R (certificate #29541) | Finland:K-16 | UK:18 | West Germany:16 | Iceland:12
Company:
Hemdale Film more

Fun Stuff

Trivia:
All the scenes set in Mexico were actually filmed in Venice, California; the crew was unable to travel to Mexico, again because of the movie's low budget. more
Quotes:
Lenny: [on Linda's birthday] I got you a $40,000 car and a $2 mutt. Go figure. more
Movie Connections:
References Svengali (1931) more

FAQ

This FAQ is empty. Add the first question.
4 out of 6 people found the following comment useful:-
Woods at his finest, 3 March 1999
Author: Raging_Bull_Movie_Review from Poughkeepsie, NY

Another great performance by Woods, first playing his typical schemer who this time gets a lucky break to go to LA and be respectable and even rich. He's now a fast-talking real estate salesman who still has no self esteem, but for the first time has the money to buy the look that can kind of hide it. Unfortunately, the paper reports the tax laws might be changed, so the incredibly profitable business of selling real estate so people can get a tax exemption dries up overnight. Woods is left with no money because he's p****d it away on planes and other luxuries. Woods and then his wife Sean Young become druggies and their life continually spirals down until it reaches rock bottom with disillusion, no future, and no life beyond the drugs. They are left with nothing, but each other, except Woods always knew she was too good for him, so she is the final domino in his now sad life that's left to fall. Woods is the best at making you think he could crack at any moment. He's always trying to get ahead, but at the same time you know he's always on the verge of snapping and totally screwing his life up. The portrayal of Woods & Young's drug addiction is dark and unsettling, but that makes it so much more convincing.

Was the above comment useful to you?
more

Message Boards

Discuss this movie with other users on IMDb message board for The Boost (1988)
Recent Posts (updated daily)User
Miss Kitty Smoking Crack! bhoover247
I can't believe Ben Stein wrote a movie about coke hooligan17
An ugly 80's masterpiece spiff86
Stalked spontaneous_nobility
creepy blackholeroses
more

Recommendations

If you enjoyed this title, our database also recommends:
- - - - -
Little Miss Sunshine The Basketball Diaries Drugstore Cowboy Requiem for a Dream Permanent Midnight
IMDb User Rating:
IMDb User Rating:
IMDb User Rating:
IMDb User Rating:
IMDb User Rating:
Show more recommendations

Related Links

Full cast and crew Company credits External reviews
News articles IMDb Drama section IMDb USA section
Add this title to MyMovies

You may report errors and omissions on this page to the IMDb database managers. They will be examined and if approved will be included in a future update. Clicking the 'Update' button will take you through a step-by-step process.