Phew! What a stinker

When I heard Jay McInerney had adapted his own novel for the screen I was quite excited. Admittedly it's not my favourite of his novels but I am a big fan of the author. Unfortunately my excitement was seriously misguided. The third person narration that works reasonably well in the book (as it becomes familiar as you read) is only used occasionally during film and as such is disconcerting and confusing.

Michael J Fox is badly miscast. OK, it was made in the 80s and he was obviously given the role to boost the film's marquee potential, but his attempt to play a character so far removed from what made him famous is laughable. Keither Sutherland is more believable but I couldn't understand why he was Michael J Fox's friend, as they have nothing in common.

The 80s had such a distinctive (and now dated) look and feel that it only really works these days in parody (think American Psycho) and the feel good ending which (admittedly it's been a while since I read it) but I'm sure didn't conclude the book is so phoney and neat that is completes the film's shortcomings perfectly!