Watch Permanent Midnight

Permanent Midnight is a dark and intense drama released in 1998, starring Ben Stiller who portrays Jerry Stahl, a successful Hollywood television writer. The movie is based on the real-life story of the writer, and it's his memoir that became a book, which ultimately inspired the feature film. Jerry Stahl is at the top of his game in Hollywood, living a lavish lifestyle, indulging in drugs, and enjoying a wild underground nightlife. He appears to have it all, but is battling inner demons that are both disturbing and heart-breaking. His addiction to heroin and other drugs becomes self-destructive, threatening to destroy his career and personal life.

The film takes us back in time to show Jerry's past, the events and choices that led him to addiction, and the impact it has on his present life. We are taken back to his early career, in which he starts small writing gigs for magazines and works his way up to a successful television writer in Hollywood.

In the present, he is trying to recover from his addiction and find his way back to his wife, Kitty, played by Maria Bello, and son. With scenes from the past intercut with the present, the harsh reality of addiction is depicted brilliantly, showing the destructive force it has on the mind, the body, and relationships.

Jerry's addiction takes center stage in the film, and the way it's portrayed is both disturbing and gut-wrenching. The audience becomes a passenger in Jerry's rapid descent into a world of drugs as his addiction increases along with his success. Jerry's life deteriorates as he becomes increasingly isolated and paranoid. His relationships disintegrate along with his finances and health.

Stiller, who is known for his comedic performances, transforms into a convincing dramatic actor in this film. He delivers a powerful and emotional performance that makes the audience feel the intensity of his character's struggle. He gives a nuanced portrayal of a deeply flawed man who is trying to find redemption, and his performance is complemented by the equally outstanding performances of Maria Bello and Jay Paulson.

Bello is excellent in her role as Jerry's wife, Kitty. She is supportive but also realistic about the situation, the kind of person who wishes her husband well but isn't afraid to call him out when he's being delusional. Paulson also delivers solid work as Nicky, Jerry's drug dealer, and confidant. He's the closest friend that Jerry has, and a big part of his life during his addiction.

The writing and direction of the film are exceptional. Stuart Goldman, who wrote the screenplay, did a great job of adapting the source material, condensing Stahl's memoir into a compelling and coherent narrative. Director David Veloz perfectly captures the gritty and desperate atmosphere of Hollywood's dark side and injects the right amount of dark humor to lighten up a somber story.

The film is visually stunning with excellent cinematography that captures the mood of the film perfectly. The use of flashback scenes is brilliantly used to give insight into the roots of Jerry's addiction and to show the progression of his addiction over time.

In conclusion, Permanent Midnight is a raw and powerful film that depicts the harsh reality of addiction. As much as the film may be viewed as a cautionary tale, it also celebrates the glimmer of hope that people can turn their lives around. It's a difficult watch in many ways, but it does a great job of keeping the audience engaged with the story and the characters. Overall, it's a highly recommended film that deserves more recognition and appreciation.

Permanent Midnight is a 1998 drama with a runtime of 1 hour and 28 minutes. It has received moderate reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 6.2 and a MetaScore of 57.