One of my all time favorites.

This is a gorgeous movie made by a gorgeous spirit.

The thing I enjoyed most about the film is the fact that it doesn't shy away from being a super-sized-cliche;

By the time the dramatic fireworks start popping off, each one feels earned.

This movie The Boost is a cautionary tale for not just about drug addiction, but also for everybody who is new in this town called Los Angeles by following 4 simple rules. First when somebody offers you an opportunity, don't blow it , Second is manage your money wisely and not spend it on things and are not worth spending, Third hang around with people who are trustworthy and want to support you on succeeding, and not of people who you think you trust is going to suck you dry and giving you something you should not take. and lastly don't do drugs. 4 simple rules that everybody must follow when you're new to this city. It has nothing to do whether you're rich or poor, it's about staying alive and following the right path.

The message of The Boost is a good one but the execution comes off as high camp. Everything is so over the top it's hard to imagine that the filmmakers ever tried to make a serious message movie.The film's premise has James Woods, a high pressure salesman, and his wife Sean Young, hitting hard times and turning to cocaine.Much like Jack Nicholson in The Shining, I find it hard to tell the difference between the "before" and "after" James Woods. He starts off as a psychotic madman and becomes a DRUG CRAZED psychotic madman overnight, basically the same guy!It's all fun and games until Woods has an overdose, giving the director an excuse to show him urinate all over himself! Thanks for that image, Mr. director!He and Young then go out looking for coke and stumble upon a dead guy with a missing eyeball, scaring these two straight for awhile anyway!Coke comes back with a vengeance and we're subjected to the disturbing sight of a very pregnant Sean Young taking a nasty fall down the beach front equivalent of The Exorcist stairs!It's not over yet! Woods switches from coke to quaaludes and turns into a couch potato, that is until an aged whore introduces him to crack. He then proceeds to slap his wife and come up with the greatest comeback plan ever devised!Everything about this film moves so fast that it appears like the movie's editor was snorting cocaine too.

SPOILERS THROUGHOUT POST: I saw This film shortly after it came out, have watched it more then once and really like it. This is a very dark movie that focuses on addictions. Woods and Young give a dark portrayal of a wholesome, happy couple in love who, through a series of bad breaks,descend into a hellish drug induced haze.There is a Powerful story here with some really good acting. Not just a story of drug addiction, the movie shows the addiction one can get to a certain type of lifestyle. This movie really does show, not just how insidious drug addictions can be, but how excess(money, power, glamor etc) can ruin a person. The Boost really gets inside the isolation that the main characters begin to sink into, and there is one scene in particular: (SPOILER ALERT!) where Linda, (after having her own plane, more money then she can handle and no need for a day job), sits chatting with coworkers(sober, drying out and gainfully employed after she and her husband lose everything, become addicts and make an effort to get off drugs). She sits with her coworkers making small talk and one can tell she'd rather be anywhere then where she is. That particular scene, among others, really stuck with me and is an example of how well the movie does at exploring not just the addictions, but the feelings, motivations and souls of the people behind the addictions.The Boost is not a very well known film, many people I know haven't even heard of it which is a shame as it's really very good. It's not a "hollywood" type of film at all, is quite dark, and I think anybody who liked leaving Las Vegas, Less then Zero or Bright lights, Big city will probably really like this movie. I would give it an 8.5 of 10 and would strongly recommend it if one is comfortable with the subject matter.

I appreciated this movie more after the second viewing. Although dark, it leaves a powerful statement. James Woods is a silver-tongued real estate salesman that for the first time in his life he is successful and rolling in money. So much money and so quick, he turns to cocaine to stay in high gear. His wife (Sean Young)wishes things could stay plain and simple; but after slipping into the high life, she too needs drugs to remain functional. Steven Hill is the mentor that suddenly is disgusted with Woods character. The profitable real estate business dries up leaving Woods ass deep in debt and no way to support his drug habit. Woods finally clean and sober still can't repair the damage done to his life and marriage.John Kapelos and Kelle Kerr are noteworthy in support. Woods is dynamic and very convincing. Young on the other hand seems quite bland and exhibits little acting skills. Young however is not afraid to get naked! THE BOOST is dark, moody and all too realistic.