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Risky Business

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1:21

Risky Business

R

Released Aug 5, 1983

1h 36m

Comedy

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Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

93%

Tomatometer

54 Reviews

73%

Popcornmeter

50,000+ Ratings

Ecstatic when his parents leave on vacation for a few days, high school senior Joel Goodsen (Tom Cruise) cuts loose with his best friend Miles. After an attempt at securing the services of a prostitute goes slightly awry, Joel hires gorgeous Lana (Rebecca De Mornay) for a night of delight. Stunned by the amount of Lana's "bill" the next morning, Joel grows frantic after he crashes his father's Porsche. In an effort to raise lots of money fast, a desperate Joel turns the house into a brothel.

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Critics Consensus

Featuring one of Tom Cruise's best early performances, Risky Business is a sharp, funny examination of teen angst that doesn't stop short of exploring dark themes.

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Chuck Bowen

Slant Magazine

Is the film a satire of consumerism or an example of it? It’s both and the better for it.

Jul 22, 2024

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David Denby

New York Magazine/Vulture

Risky Business, a movie about a nice boy losing his virginity, is a first-time director's clear failure that I normally wouldn't get belligerent about, but the picture is so confused, so strange, and so openly corrupt that I can't resist.

Dec 31, 2019

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Dave Kehr

Chicago Reader

One of the finest film explorations of the end of innocence.

Aug 6, 2007

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Katie Hogan

She Likes Movies

Risky Business is entertaining and though would never have worked outside its release era, there’s still many laughs to be had.

Nov 13, 2024

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Dennis Schwartz

Dennis Schwartz Movie Reviews

What the f---!

Rated: B

Sep 2, 2024

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Matt Brunson

Film Frenzy

From Screwballs to Hardbodies, the eighties were jam-packed with inane teen sex comedies -- rest assured, Risky Business is not one of them.

Rated: 3.5/4

Aug 1, 2024

Full Review

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Matthew D

Risky Business may be the greatest film of the 1980's. I find it so romantic and dreamy. Tom Cruise charges forth in this wild and fun coming of age comedy. Paul Brickman wrote and directed this very raunchy romance film with witty dialogue and lots of laughs. The direction is pretty cool as shot after shot impresses you with clever angles, panning shots, editing sequences, and creative use of lighting and surroundings. Risky Business is naughty, but not crude. It has a class and style that is totally its own. I think it is still worth a watch. Tom Cruise is excellent as the lead Joel. He is funny and relatable throughout. It is a humorous situation how he becomes an accidental pimp, but you are always intrigued by his reactions. Cruise gives his breakout performance in Risky Business and his acclaim is well deserved. He pulls off a much more mature role for his age. Rebecca de Mornay is gorgeous and seductive in Risky Business. She plays Lana with a playful teasing quality, while also portraying a sincere side. You really wonder who this girl is and hope she is for real. She is acting at a more mature level than girls her age as she steals the show in Risky Business in many scenes. You cannot take your eyes off her. Risky Business features an iconic soundtrack of 1980's classic rock music, but the real treat is Tangerine Dream's electronic score. I found myself humming along to Risky Business' theme. It absolutely captures the tense and uncertain tone of the movie. You never know what is going to happen next. I recommend Risky Business for any teenage guy and older. It is a coming of age narrative with lessons as well as laughs. Beautifully filmed to look at, but even more fun as you join Cruise's Joel on a joyous journey.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

05/08/25

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Horror fan 4

A absolute classic. A terrific cast and story makes this a movie I can appreciate for many years to come. Tim Treakle

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

01/30/25

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Conner L

Sharp, stylish, and darkly funny like https://connerlogistics.com

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

11/13/24

Full Review

Jonathan O

Risky business is so highly entertaining, sexy, funny and really outstanding cast including the young Tom Cruise performance absolutely stellar role and really fantastic cinematography and writing and great directing.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

09/20/24

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Joseph L

An entertaining satirical ride that is simply more fun and more intelligent than what you expect it to be.

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

09/11/24

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Faiz D

An entertaining and interesting movie.

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

08/29/24

Full Review

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Paul Brickman

Director

Tom Cruise

Joel Goodsen

Rebecca De Mornay

Lana

Bronson Pinchot

Barry

Joe Pantoliano

Guido

Richard Masur

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Risky Business: Trailer 1

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Synopsis

Ecstatic when his parents leave on vacation for a few days, high school senior Joel Goodsen (Tom Cruise) cuts loose with his best friend Miles. After an attempt at securing the services of a prostitute goes slightly awry, Joel hires gorgeous Lana (Rebecca De Mornay) for a night of delight. Stunned by the amount of Lana's "bill" the next morning, Joel grows frantic after he crashes his father's Porsche. In an effort to raise lots of money fast, a desperate Joel turns the house into a brothel.

Director: Paul Brickman
Producer: Jon Avnet, Steve Tisch
Screenwriter: Paul Brickman
Distributor: Warner Home Vídeo, Warner Bros.
Production Co: Geffen Pictures
Rating: R
Genre: Comedy
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Aug 5, 1983, Original
Release Date (Streaming): Sep 1, 2008
Runtime: 1h 36m
Sound Mix: Dolby, Surround

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