Eager young lass Hope (a fine and appealing portrayal by Heather Graham) leaves Cleveland, Ohio to go to Los Angeles, California to pursue a career as a musician. Hope's big plans go astray after she runs afoul of charismatic, but manipulative heroin addict Will (well played with considerable scruffy charm by Jeremy Sisto).
Director Alan White relates the absorbing story at a steady pace, maintains a sincere serious tone throughout, and astutely captures the raw desperation of down and out people. Drew Pillsbury's smart and observant script not only presents a colorful array of vividly drawn symbolic characters, but also offers a powerful and provocative central metaphor on the damage wrought by drug addiction.
The excellent acting from the tip-top cast rates as another significant asset: Tess Harper as haggard homeless lady Clare, Jake Busey as the smooth-talking Vince, Joe Hursley as Vince's scraggly buddy Bob, Linda Hamilton as brash flesh peddler Karen, Randall Batinkoff as smarmy producer Cliff, Michael A. Goorjian as amiable dishwasher Thomas, and Jessica Stroup as the foxy and stoned Sara. A neat little movie.
Director Alan White relates the absorbing story at a steady pace, maintains a sincere serious tone throughout, and astutely captures the raw desperation of down and out people. Drew Pillsbury's smart and observant script not only presents a colorful array of vividly drawn symbolic characters, but also offers a powerful and provocative central metaphor on the damage wrought by drug addiction.
The excellent acting from the tip-top cast rates as another significant asset: Tess Harper as haggard homeless lady Clare, Jake Busey as the smooth-talking Vince, Joe Hursley as Vince's scraggly buddy Bob, Linda Hamilton as brash flesh peddler Karen, Randall Batinkoff as smarmy producer Cliff, Michael A. Goorjian as amiable dishwasher Thomas, and Jessica Stroup as the foxy and stoned Sara. A neat little movie.