This is a silly and strange film that came out in the 80’s and was one of Michelle Pfeiffers first films before she hit Stardom. She and Jeff Goldblum are pursued by Former SAVAK Agents ( some being cameo’s by such stars as British David Bowie, French Roger Vadim or Greek Iren Papas ) who are running across Hollywood trying to recuperate the Shah’s stolen Jewels. A few Iranian actors like Houshang Touzie have small parts. Its filled with prejudice and ignorance about Iran and Iranian history which reflects some of the naive outlook of Americans about Iran in the years that followed the Hostage Crisis Ordeal in Tehran. Its meant to be funny and at times it is but it was no surprise if the film was bombed by serious film critics like Roger Ebert. Interestingly Ebert was to support the release of the first Iranian American film Maryam directed by Ramin Serry (see his review).
Into the Night does not really aim to political analysis but simply attempts and fails at being an entertaining thriller. As for Pfeiffer she is really pretty and shows some bare skin to our delight but along with Goldblum they seem to be struggling to make sens out of a very thin and bad script.
See Plot here :
Ed Orkin (Jeff Goldblum) is having a bad night. He can’t sleep, he hates his job as an aerospace engineer, and he’s just discovered his wife in bed with another man. Suffering another sleepless night, he attempts to flee the disaster of his life, driving into the Los Angeles airport parking lot at the same time that a mysterious and beautiful woman (Michelle Pfeiffer) lands on his windshield. The mysterious Diana has smuggled six emeralds into the country and is being chased by Iranian SAVAK Agents who have just killed her companion. The items she handed over are priceless emeralds from the fallen Shah of Iran’s treasury which Diana has just successfully smuggled into the country. Unfortunately, at least two parties know of her operation and are trying to obtain the jewels, former SAVAK agents and a mysterious Frenchman.Suddenly Ed and Diana find themselves thrown together in an effort to outrun the gangsters. The fugitives become involved in one disaster after another, narily escaping Elvis-crazed relatives, insanity on the freeways, a terrifying hitman played by David Bowie, and general mayhem during the fast-paced chase. The gangsters wreak havoc on L.A., destroying anything they come into contact with as they pursue the star-crossed fugitives in this seductive and moody portrayal of Los Angeles after hours. This dark thriller/comedy features cameos by numerous directors as well as Landis himself, playing a gangster.
