Addiction: Cocaine What To Say: Most coke in the U.S has been cut with laxatives What Not To Say: Fancy a line? The ol Peruvian marching powder has been used in film many times with most depictions erring on the side of glamour, portraying it as an aspirational drug of choice for the idle rich or a recreational bit of fun for gangsters. It is very rare for a film to depict the full effects of cocaine addiction in a realistic and harrowing manner but that is exactly how it portrayed in Harold Beckers film The Boost, starring James Woods at his explosive best. The films follows real estate hustler Lenny (Woods) and his wife Linda (Sean Young) who are hoping to strike it rich in eighties Los Angeles selling dodgy tax shelters, but when a legal loophole is closed they find themselves over $700,000 in debt. Its at this point they try cocaine which seems like the answer to their prayers at first. Failures become temporary setbacks and they find a new yet hollow confidence in themselves. Lenny descends into full blown addiction with James Woods at the top of his game delivering an unpredictable and powerful performance of man who loses everything including his own soul because of his addiction. Roger Ebert described his performance as one of the most convincing and horrifying portraits of drug addiction I've ever seen. Please note; If you havent seen this film before dont expect a happy ending.
