Permanent Midnight (1998)
64%RT Audience Score: 54%
Awards & Nominations: NA
Aimless storytelling undermines the gripping, unsettling subject of this film
Permanent Midnight is a wild ride that will make you laugh, cringe, and maybe even cry a little bit. Critics are split on whether it’s a masterpiece or a total flop, but one thing’s for sure: Ben Stiller’s performance as a drug-addicted TV writer is nothing short of fearless. The movie doesn’t shy away from the dark realities of addiction, but it also has a wicked sense of humor that keeps things from getting too heavy. If you’re looking for a movie that will make you feel all the feels, Permanent Midnight is definitely worth a watch. Just maybe don’t watch it with your grandma.
Production Company(ies)
Road Movies Filmproduktion, Argos Films, Westdeutscher Rundfunk
Distributor
Paramount Pictures
Release Type
Theatrical
Filming Location(s)
Madrid, Spain
MPAA / Certificate
Rated R for some strong sexuality, language and some violence
Year of Release
1997
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Color:Color
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Sound mix:Dolby Digital
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Aspect ratio:1.85 : 1
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Runtime:1h 25m
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Language(s):Spanish
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Country of origin:United States
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Release date:Release Date (Theaters): Sep 12, 1998 Original
Release Date (Streaming): Jul 29, 2008
Genre(s)
Drama
Keyword(s)
starring Ben Stiller, Owen Wilson, Elizabeth Hurley, Maria Bello, Lourdes Benedicto, Peter Greene, directed by David Veloz, written by Jerry Stahl, David Veloz, drama, box office performance, budget, reviewed by Kevin Maynard, Robert Horton, Janet Maslin, Michael O’Sullivan, Mick LaSalle, James Berardinelli, Dennis Schwartz, Joe Leydon, Cole Smithey, Emanuel Levy, Robin Clifford, R MPAA rating, Don Murphy, Jane Hamsher produced
Worldwide gross: $377,967
Worldwide gross (inflation-adjusted): $704,561
Worldwide gross ranking (inflation-adjusted): 2,668
Worldwide tickets sold (est.): 76,833
US/Canada gross: $370,720
US/Canada gross (inflation-adjusted): $691,052
US/Canada gross ranking (inflation-adjusted): 2,260
US/Canada opening weekend: $38,289
US/Canada opening weekend (inflation-adjusted): $71,374
US/Canada opening weekend ranking (inflation-adjusted): 2,070
Budget and Earnings Details
Production budget (est.): ESP 370,000,000
Production budget (inflation-adjusted): NA
Production budget ranking: NA
Marketing and distribution budget (inflation-adjusted est.): NA
Box office net earnings to date (inflation-adjusted est.): NA
ROI to date (est.): NA
ROI ranking: NA
Elizabeth Hurley – Sandra
Maria Bello – Kitty
Owen Wilson – Nicky
Lourdes Benedicto – Vola
Peter Greene – Gus
Director(s)
David Veloz
Writer(s)
Jerry Stahl, David Veloz
Producer(s)
Don Murphy, Jane Hamsher
Film Festivals
Awards & Nominations
NA
Academy Awards
All Critics (53) | Top Critics (13) | Fresh (31) | Rotten (22)
Wicked sense of humor!
January 1, 2000
Kevin Maynard
Mr. Showbiz
TOP CRITIC
Rollicking! A high-energy adaptation!
January 1, 2000
Robert Horton
Film.com
TOP CRITIC
As enveloping as it is darkly cautionary!
January 1, 2000
Janet Maslin
New York Times
TOP CRITIC
Unsettling and-yes-often scorchingly funny!
January 1, 2000
Michael O’Sullivan
Washington Post
TOP CRITIC
The trouble is that it’s hard to care!
January 1, 2000 | Rating: 2/4
Mick LaSalle
San Francisco Chronicle
TOP CRITIC
January 1, 2000 | Rating: 3/4
James Berardinelli
ReelViews
TOP CRITIC
Stiller’s forceful performance does his character a solid.
March 6, 2017 | Rating: C+
Dennis Schwartz
Dennis Schwartz Movie Reviews
Stiller’s fearless performance makes it painfully and graphically clear that being a junkie is an exhausting full-time job.
July 19, 2014
Joe Leydon
The Moving Picture Show
A movie to slit your wrist to.
October 10, 2005 | Rating: 0/5
Cole Smithey
ColeSmithey.com
June 29, 2005 | Rating: 2/5
Emanuel Levy
EmanuelLevy.Com
April 9, 2005 | Rating: C
Robin Clifford
Reeling Reviews
January 3, 2005 | Rating: 3/5
Thomas Delapa
Boulder Weekly…
Plot
As his heroin addiction worsens, successful television writer Jerry Stahl struggles to separate his addiction from his working life, leading to a downward spiral in Permanent Midnight.
Trivia
Goofs / Tidbits
There is no goofy or funny or odd comment about the film on Fresh Kernels.
David-Veloz.jpg
