Risky Business 25th Anniversary Deluxe Edition

Originally directed by first-time Paul Brickman (who only went on to direct another film, Men Don't Leave in 1990), Risky Business could easily be categorized as a forerunner to later 80's teen beat successes, most of them courtesy of John Hughes (see Sixteen Candles, Breakfast Club, Pretty in Pink, Ferris Bueller's Day Off, et al).

Risky Business Synopsis

In what became the first star vehicle for current box office heavyweight Tom Cruise, Risky Business tells the story of Joel Goodson (Cruise), a high school senior about to embark on a college career, that is, if he figures out where he'll want to go, though his father strongly insist he apply for Princeton. While his well-to-do parents go on an out-of-town trip for a week, Joel decides to enjoy the now empty house, enjoys his dad's Porsche, and runs around the house lipsynching rock tunes in his boxer shorts.

Joel lives out his parent-free week with the usual teen angst, until he meets sexy call-girl Lana (Rebecca De Mornay, in her own career starting memorable role); this encounter leads to an unforgettable evening. Soon thereafter, after enduring several problems stemming from said encounter (including a run-in with a possessive pimp, played with gusto by The Sopranos' Joe Pantoliano), Joel and Lana hatch a plan to turn his family home into a brothel for one night, teaching both of them valuable lessons in both love and business.

Risky Business as Launching Pad for Stardom

Though he had handful of minor or supporting roles prior to Risky Business, with films such as TAPS, The Outsiders, Endless Love, and All the Right Moves, Risky Business was indeed the one which made Tom Cruise a household name, with most of his films having been hits ever since. Cruise's earnest, all-American boy demeanor appealed to every teen going through the same social mores associated with high school life, and the inevitable pressures of getting into a good school, thus shaping the rest of one's life.

Cruise's impressive ease and charisma with offering Joel Goodson as a timid, shy, yet determined teen, whose numerous attempts at successfully creating a marketable product as part of his school's Future Enterprisers (leading to the film's grand finale), makes for a memorable teen comedy.

The film also was a starting point for several other actors, who went on to various careers both in film and television, such as Rebecca De Mornay (The Hand that Rocks the Cradle), Bronson Pinchot (Balki from TV's Perfect Strangers, also Meego), Curtis Armstrong ("Booger" from the Revenge of the Nerds series), and of course Joe Pantoliano (the aforementioned Sopranos).

Risky Business 25th Anniversary Deluxe Edition Special Features

Presented in 1:85 Widescreen format, this copy of the film benefits from an excellent digital transfer, as well as a clean 5.1 Dolby Digital Audio. The film also comes with a bevy of special features, namely an insightful look into an early screen test with Cruise and De Mornay, as they re-enact the morning after scene. Though most screen tests included on DVD usually are used as filler, this one instead shows us how Cruise truly had screen chemistry early on, leading to his later success. Look also for a docu entitled "The Dream is Always the Same" (a reference to the opening scene of the movie), which takes a look back at the film's concept, and offers interviews with the cast and crew.

An additional treat is a 7-minute alternate ending, as director Paul Brickman originally intended.

For those who enjoy re-watching films with the audio commentary, viewers will be happy to know this one does include Tom Cruise, who doesn't always appear in his movies' DVD add-ons. His interaction here with director Brickman, as well as producer Jon Avnet, offers further insight into this early 80's gem.

Risky Business Overall Analysis

This DVD is recommended for fans of early 1980's coming-of-age hits, as well as hardcore fans of Tom Cruise's film repertoire, no matter what era. Warner Brothers decided to celebrate one of its iconic features with a repackaged anniversary version, and generously packed it with bonus features to boot. This DVD is definitely a treat.

8 out of 10 for its pop-culture relevance, and great picture and sound quality.

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