The Boost

The Boost follows Lenny Brown, a salesman who relocates from New York to California with his wife, Linda, to build a career in tax shelter investments. When changes to federal tax law undermine the business, Lenny is left deep in debt. A friend introduces him to cocaine, and what begins as a way to keep pace with his work slides into dependence that damages both his finances and his marriage.

Harold Becker directed the film, which sits between Vision Quest and Sea of Love in a run of features that also includes Taps. Darryl Ponicsan wrote the screenplay, and Daniel H. Blatt produced it for Columbia Pictures and Hemdale Film Corporation. James Woods and Sean Young lead the cast as Lenny and Linda, with John Kapelos, Steven Hill, Kelle Kerr and John Rothman in supporting roles.

Released in December 1988, the film runs 95 minutes and carries a budget of 8 million dollars. On IMDb it holds a critics' rating of 5.8/10 from ten reviews, while on TMDB it has a rating of 5.6/10 from 60 votes, indicating that reviewers and audiences responded to the film in similar, moderate terms.