Risky Business - Script to Screen

[@buzzcrushtrendkill]

The cinematoghraphy is so outstanding, it still looks great. The night scenes are allowed to be dark and look so realistic. I watch this movie just for the look of it.

[@ottodrone6173]

I was in high school when this movie came out. It's on my list of movies I watch at least once a year. It was unlike any other coming of age film and still is. Beautifully shot, amazing cast, superb script and direction, and the soundtrack make this a cinematic masterpiece in my observation. Bravo Brickman!

[@pcucsd]

I've always said, being a child of the 80s renders a soft-spot for that time period. Have heard this several times that it is said many people generally remember and enjoy best the music of their childhood. Risky Business is a good example. Underrated, what sets it apart from other movies is its transcendent score and period soundtrack. It captures the early 80s in a nostalgic and genuine way especially with sounds from 'Tangerine Dream'. It tackles and fuses the modern coming of age story with archetypes of sex and money beautifully. For comparisons, I think what I enjoy more than say, John Hughes movies around the same time, is while it has some humor, it keeps a great balance of drama thanks in large part to the soundtrack, but of course also to script, direction, and acting. If a movie can take you away or immerse you to a place and time effectively, its often a leader in a genre, and certainly Risky Business accomplishes that.

[@Atomykpimp]

The Tangerine Dream track playing when Rebecca and Tom meet is absolute brilliance.

[@MarkGloverMasterson]

"The dream is always the same..." - Joel Goodson A hugely influential film for me personally. My first R-rated experience was 'Risky Business' in Ottawa, Canada. I was 15 years-old and was a complete cinema nerd. Ate, slept and dreamt in 24 FPS. I love how Brickman elevated the teen comedy genre with this highly stylized, beautiful piece of writing. Why speak down to teenagers -- speak up to them. Challenge them to rise to good material, great laughs, and they did. From the slow motion shots and colour timing, to the Tangerine Dream SDTK, the bang on! performances and their subtleties and the location of Chicago. A real comment on Reagan's era of influence and what defines "inner happiness." Bravo to the cast and crew! I can't imagine this film not in my life. I re-watch it yearly while sitting in a Porsche 928 (stolen) and smoking a pipe.

[@brianregan75]

Yes very true. This set the bar higher for teen comedies and paved the way for movies like breakfast club, Ferris bueller etc. These “Chicago” based teen comedies just were smarter, realer , sexier more sophisticated than other ones (mainly the California based ones) although fast times and valley girl were notable exceptions but they were very “California “ and were very specific to the California lifestyle and culture. The Chicago movies have their own unique air and comedic tone which gave them more depth and intelligence. Definitely captures that north shore upper middle class vibe of Chicago. I live in Chicago off Lake Shore Drive /Sheridan Rd and sometimes ride down LSD late at night listening to the soundtrack. (They actually drive through my neighborhood during the car chase 🤣😂😎)It’s definitely a. Vibe lol. Just wish I had that 928 to complete the fantasy haha

[@jimmyblaine9165]

One of the greatest films of all time.....

[@Cinemabuff97]

I agree

[@zeppo2240]

I think it’s one of the most underrated

[@darkknightwithanidea1845]

Brickman says it RIGHT THERE in which EVERY film maker picks up a pen & WRITES their own masterpiece …. Watch @ 27:21 where he says .. ‘I wanted to make a film which if I were at that age I wanted to see….. But it didn’t exit’ - that’s inspiration, motivation & the will with desire to be different. Go Paul.

[@brianregan75]

Shame Tom wasn’t there. (And Rebecca) He must be eternally grateful to Paul and Jon for making him a superstar

[@aussiecoastie72]

Yep , this movie was Tom’s spring board role .

[@mathmusic1490]

Paul Brickman and I were the 'class comedians' in fifth grade at Red Oak Jr. High School and friends from then on.

[@aussiecoastie72]

I absolutely love risky business… I was going through adolescence myself at the time the movie came out and watched it . I Loved Rebecca De Mornay … I remember thinking she was so gorgeous 😂 one of the best looking women on screen

[@boatingnyc123]

It’s simple. This movie defined 1980s suburbs. Brilliantly filmed and written like no other. Movies mostly suck now since they are mechanically pieced together for mass appeal .,

[@darkknightwithanidea1845]

A great point made by Avnet who says they didn’t want to be condescending to audiences by doing what STUDIOS DO - (shove scenes down your throats which say - your stupid - you laugh here, you scream here - we decide) & that they took the DARK road, one less travelled. The risks they took with Tangerine Dream in Berlin. Wow !!!! What an effort…. This team are real film makers.

[@paulmcdonough1093]

I had to watch this I don't usually watch these type of things but I love Risky Business I was 11 in 1983 in Liverpool,England the music sets the mood so good Tangerine Dream

[@cosmicmariner6621]

Right on. Truly one of the greatest. I saw this when I was the age of the characters and I think thats why I found it so powerful. Rebecca de mornay has been in my mind ever since. I wonder if it can be as poignant with young female audiences. Or do they need a movie about a highschool girl who hooks up with a chippendale?

[@lisadotdash]

+Cosmic Mariner Not to me when I saw it. I was mesmerized because I wished I had her strength and confidence. It is my favorite movie to this day but there was no poignancy to me. It was, "God I wish I was like her."

[@rodney3787]

The best soundtrack, and movie. I want a sequel.

[@stephanearthaud8308]

Yes, it's a good movie, for sure. Well written,well plaid, well produced... You just don't have to say "it's a great movie, you should watch"... just let people see it in the right mood, at the right moment.

[@915buck]

It was all in the leads, without the chemistry it would have gone down the tubes!! Film making 101!!

[@johnnyguitar6639]

I agree.Chemistry is alfa omega

[@ednawitbeck5504]

Paul Brickman is a genius!

[@AndyKing1963]

TD's SPANDAU studio was infact an old ballroom/cinema built in 1910

[@stevenmiller1397]

Great panel discussion about one of the best movies of the 1980's. However, Jon Avnet is wrong about cinematographer Bruce Surtees being known as "the prince of darkness." It was the late great Gordon Willis who photographed the Godfather movies, Klute, The Paralex View, All The Presidents Men, 8 Woody Allen films (beginning with Annie Hall) among many other films who was described that way by directors and other cinematographers.

[@KutWrite]

Nice to hear the personal stories. Would've liked some actual "script to screen" development, though. I hope the sound guy learned how to place a lavalier mike. That rustling... man!

[@DavesArtRoom]

The Director’s cut ending which was intended is much better than the theatrical ending. The walk in the park with a reversal in dialogue for humor was kind of lame.