Nicholasmarks545 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.

Sudzman I once lived in LA in 1987 and a friend of mine was working on the film The Boost. He asked if I would be interested in being in it, and I took him up on the offer. I was an extra and can be seen in the background of the "pool party" scene (my other up close scene was edited out of the final product). I only worked two nights at a mansion leased for the film from a professional golfer, and was witness to the behind-the-scenes antics of Hollywood. The strangest behavior was actually after the film wrap, when a doll was found hanging on the doorstep of James Woods' home, along with threats which were linked to a specific someone working on the film. Just for the record, James Woods was extremely friendly to all of us on the set. A true gentleman.

Scott LeBrun Fairly compelling movie, scripted by Darryl Ponicsan from a book by none other than Ben Stein, is overall worth catching if for no other reason than to see the always excellent James Woods deliver another intense performance. He plays Lenny Brown, a hotshot salesman recruited by businessman Max Sherman (Steven Hill of the 'Law & Order' TV series) to sell real estate in California. Lenny has great success selling tax shelter investment deals to various people, but when the tax laws are changed, this marks the beginning of a sharp decline for Lenny. He ends up with very big money problems, and to try to forget his problems, he decides to start snorting cocaine and popping Quaaludes. As Lenny's situation just grows increasingly more grim and untenable, it becomes harder and harder for his wife Linda (Sean Young), an occasional user, to stand by him.Were it not for an actor of Woods's caliber, one may find it not too easy to sympathize with his character. As it is, Leonard Maltins' guide to movies points out that there's no major difference in Lenny before and after his drug addiction begins. Still, director Harold Becker, who'd previously worked with Woods on "The Onion Field" and "The Black Marble", does manage to keep you watching through all of the melodrama that develops. The film may be most notable for the off screen drama involving co-stars Woods and Young, but on screen they work together well enough. She's not exactly his match as an actor, but does look beautiful at all times. Hill is a standout in the decent supporting cast including John Kapelos, Kelle Kerr, John Rothman, Amanda Blake (in her final feature film), Grace Zabriskie, and an uncredited John Philbin. The music by Stanley Myers is one worthy component. In the end, it *is* commendable that the filmmakers are willing to get as grim as they do get, with seemingly no hope in sight.As a cautionary tale, this works to a degree, although the Maltin review is also right when it says that the film goes on for quite a bit before it becomes clear that's it's about dependency on drugs. It's an okay movie, with Woods raising the rating a bit by himself.Six out of 10.

triple8 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.