Light Sleeper

source: Light Sleeper

Light Sleeper

Having been a Willem Dafoe fan for several years, I was more than pleasantly surprised to see his amazing performance in this film. There were some priceless moments in which Dafoe made the art of acting appear effortless. This is pure joy for a film fan. Sarandon was superb in a role which I think was a departure for her. Still, she brought intelligence, command, and a delightful wackiness to Ann. I disliked the score so much that I basically ignored it. The presence of these two commanding actors, Dafoe and Sarandon, plus other notables in the cast, convinced me that this will be a film I'll watch again and again, if only to see Dafoe's toothy smile!

How long can your business be a success? When do you try to change and upgrade your life? Susan Sarandon is an upscale drug dealer with a list of elite clients. One of her better runners (Willem Dafoe)is burning out delivering the "goods". He is fighting with his conscience and wants to give the job up and better his life. Sarandon also is planning to stop dealing drugs. Dafoe wonders if this will put an end to his loneliness and sad existence. Sarandon and Dafoe are absolutely great. Sarandon seems just as sexy and self assured as she was in BULL DURHAM. Dafoe puts a jagged edge on his intense persona. Also in the cast are Dana Delany and David Clennon. And quite comical is David Spade, who has a brief scene as a stoned "Cokehead". Writer/director Paul Schrader presents a complex modern day story in an old fashioned way. At times you may think this film drags a little; but this type story needs to simmer not boil.

John LeTour (Willem Dafoe) is a high class drug dealer in Manhattan. His boss Ann (Susan Sarandon) is moving into legitimate cosmetics business. He can't sleep and often writes in his notebooks. He runs into former love Marianne Jost (Dana Delany). She has been clean for four years. He tells her that he's been clean for two and has stopped dealing. She calls him out right away but spends the night with him after a second meeting. She falls apart after her mother dies on that night in the hospital while she's away with him. Later, he finds her drugged out with his disturbing client Tis (Victor Garber). Paul Schrader goes down another dark road to find LeTour. Dafoe is a powerful actor although I would have liked him to fall apart more. The man is dealing with insomnia and guilt. It would be advantageous to add delusions and outbursts. It's a good film but it could go more disturbing.

A drug runner searchers for redemption in a life that only has a past and present with no future in sight. Top performance from Willem and a clever characterisation from Saradon. The dialogue fits in perfectly while the music sets the mood right.

Drifting through life - I guess ome can really understand what that's like. The status quo is something you don't approve of, but you don't have the willpower to break through and change yourself or rather the way you live. It probably one of the few cases to depict this quite exceptional, without really pointing it out. In a way this is quite amazingly done. And then there is the case! Yes Susan Sarandon and yes Willem Dafoe - but what Sam Rockwell in a small scene too? And even David Spade in a role that will not annoy many (though also not make many laugh as he is able to do). The story itself is pretty straightforward but it is the layers that really should get to you - that is if you are looking for them. Maybe you'll just enjoy a thriller, which also is not a bad thing at all. Human depths and flaws be damned