ends continue their entertaining and manic pursuit of sensation--until a series of encounters with destiny, decadence and even death convinces Eddie to plunge beneath the surface . . . and discover his soul.
             Highlighted by emotional, believable performances by its cast (Sean Penn in particular is typically brilliant), Hurlyburly is not for everyone, but can be a powerful and compelling drama for those who approach it with an open mind. The film is frequently referred to as a comedy-drama, a misleading designation for what is a sometimes humorous, but ultimately emotional and sobering look at life in 1980s Hollywood. Particularly well-done are the cocaine-fuelled scenes which provide one of the most accurate depictions of the drug lifestyle and the effect it can have on interpersonal relationships. The film can seem over-the-top in parts, but the excess is necessary to convey the film's message. Emotional, witty, thought-provoking and on some levels deeply depressing, Hurlyburly is an underrated and under-appreciated character-driven drama that capitalizes on the talents of an all-star cast to deliver a top-notch product.
             Years ago I saw the film of Bret Easton Ellis' horrific novel Less Than Zero. I left the cinema then with the same urgent convictions with which I left the Queen's Theatre recently on the opening night of David Rabe's Hurlyburly - a) never move to southern California, b) never get a job in the film industry and c) never take drugs (or at least, not in such frightening quantity).
             We are subjected to all of these things in Hurlyburly. It is a terrible, nightmarish world indeed and yet one that is squeamishly riveting. We do not like this world, we do not like these characters and yet we're compelled to watch.
             The four central male characters are the men your mother always warned you about, but poor old mum didn't know the half of it. They are cold, heartless, unfaithful, uncaring individua...