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Permanent Midnight Details

1998 Certificate 18 Certificate 18 (TBC)
  • Rated:
  • 50
  • from 690 members

Based on the memoirs of Jerry Stahl, a successful TV writer who was reduced to working at a McDonalds' drive-thru window by his crippling addiction to heroin. Ben Stiller gives an acclaimed performance as Stahl in this gritty film ripe with darkly comedic moments. Stahl himself has a cameo as a drug counselor. Read more

Starring Ben Stiller, Elizabeth Hurley, Maria Bello, Owen Wilson
Director David Veloz
Genres Thriller

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Permanent Midnight

Based on the memoirs of Jerry Stahl, a successful TV writer who was reduced to working at a McDonalds' drive-thru window by his crippling addiction to heroin. Ben Stiller gives an acclaimed performance as Stahl in this gritty film ripe with darkly comedic moments. Stahl himself has a cameo as a drug counselor.

Starring Ben Stiller, Elizabeth Hurley, Maria Bello, Owen Wilson, Cheryl Ladd, Peter Greene
Director David Veloz
Studio LIONS GATE FILMS
Run time DVD: 1 hr 24 mins
Watch now: 1 hr 28 mins
Certificate DVD: Certificate 18, Watch Online: Certificate 18 (TBC)
Genres Thriller
Language DVD: English
Watch Online: English
Released DVD: 23 Oct 2000
Watch now: 07 Aug 2009
Production year: 1998
Watch now £2.49
Format DVD

  • Critics' reviews (5) of Permanent Midnight

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  • 3 stars out of 5

    Ben Stiller, who has never been afraid to show a darker side (see Your Friends and Neighbours), makes the most of a meaty role in this gripping drugs drama, set in the Hollywood fast lane. It's based on the autobiography of Jerry Stahl, a writer working in television whose career self-destructed when his heroin addiction overtook his life. Stiller plays him warts and all and at times it's actually hard to work up any sympathy for his descent into drugs hell. There are good supporting turns from Maria Bello and Janeane Garofalo, while even Elizabeth Hurley acquits herself quite well as the naive producer who ends up in a marriage of convenience with Stiller.

    • Radio Times
    • Posted 29 Jan 2006

  • "...[Stiller gives] a fine, rivetingly caustic performance....PERMANENT MIDNIGHT is as enveloping as it is darkly cautionary, thanks to the effectively varied layers of Mr. Veloz's direction and the bitter intensity Mr. Stiller brings to his central role..."

    • New York Times
    • Posted 11 Mar 2005

  • Most helpful member's review of Permanent Midnight

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  • 4 out of 4 people found this review helpful

    Rated - 2 stars

    Midnight's Alright

    I had no idea what to expect from this film. I had never heard about it, and only really got it having looked at the cast list. There are some strong actors. Having started the DVD up I was unsure. The film is about a man's addiction to Heroin and his battles with the demons involved. It surprised me, however. Not being a fan of drug and habit related films, I didn't find it very watchable. Stiller gives a fantastic performance, as does Hurley. It makes you think, and is quite compelling. It is short, however, not even 90 minutes, but has some funny moments, which break up the drama. A worthy viewing!

      • seaempty from Hampshire
      • Posted 18 Nov 2003 11:30

  • Most recent members' review of Permanent Midnight

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  • 2 out of 2 people found this review helpful

    Rated - 3 stars

    Drugs nightmare

    Someone mentioned this film to me ages ago when I declared my open admiration of Ben Stiller. I was intrigued to hear he'd done serious stuff.

    Here, Stiller has turned his talents to the portrayal of Jerry Stahl's descent into the fuggy drugged up world of the heroin addiction with convincing veracity. The more manic epsiodes are reminiscent of his more 'comedic' roles, but for all that the director and castmates say there was underlying humour in a lot of the scenes, I struggled to see anything remotely laughable. Perhaps I am too easily shocked.

    Of the other performances, I was struck by just how 'plummy' Hurley, but that doesn't actually detract from her charm I suppose. I don't think she was 'acting' very much though. The other main female role, played by Maria Bello, is actually far more peripheral. She plays the romantic foil well though. And Owen plays a flaky Californian dude, what a surprise. But that's what I love him for.

    All in all, a good movie with a fantastic central performance. And it's based on a true story too, of course.

      • PeliculaGirl from London
      • Posted 24 Mar 2005 13:52

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Rating breakdown

690 Member ratings
  • 100
15
  • 90
18
  • 80
37
  • 70
70
  • 60
127
  • 50
108
  • 40
118
  • 30
83
  • 20
74
  • 10
40

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      • Based on the memoirs of Jerry Stahl, a successful TV writer who was reduced to working at a McDonalds' drive-thru window by his crippling addiction to heroin. Ben Stiller gives an acclaimed ...