Light Sleeper

Paul Schrader's brilliant study of another alienated urban denizen skirting the borderline of madness stars Willem Dafoe as John Le Tour, a rich, upscale drug dealer for Manhattan professionals -- "White drugs for white people," as he puts it. John is a recovering addict and for him it's the perfect ...more

Of the many dark morality plays written and/or directed by Paul Schrader, Light Sleeper is one of the best plotted and acted. From Susan Sarandon's breezy, ballsy businesswoman to Willem Dafoe's conflicted dealer and Dana Delany's mournful ex-addict, the cast fires on all cylinders. The same goes for supporting players Jane Adams, David Spade, and Mary Beth Hurt (the wife of Paul Schrader). None of these actors would be able to shine, though, if it weren't for the director's tight, moody script ...more