The Dark Backward Blu Ray Review (Sony Pictures)

The Dark Backward is a 1991 dark comedy written and directed by Adam Rifkin (Detroit Rock City, Director’s Cut, Chillerama, The Chase, The Invisible Maniac, and Psycho Cop Returns). It was produced by Cassian Elwes (Nomads, White of the Eye, Zombie High, Jack’s Back, Psycho Cop, Blue Valentine, Lawless, Stolen, and Dallas Buyers Club). The estimated budget was $2,000,000 and it grossed $28,654 worldwide at the box office. Garbage man Marty Malt (played by: Judd Nelson from The Breakfast Club, New Jack City, St. Elmo’s Fire, Airheads, Cabin by the Lake, The Boondock Saints II, and Dark Asylum) tries his hand at standup comedy. He is failing miserably until a third arm mysteriously grows from his back. His accordion player friend Gus (played by: Bill Paxton from Frailty, Aliens, Apollo 13, Twister, True Lies, Near Dark, and Weird Science) figures out a way to use the new arm to their advantage and gets them signed with a sleazy talent agent Jackie Chrome (played by: Wayne Newton from Vegas Vacation, Licence to Kill, The Adventures of Ford Fairlane, Las Vegas, and Smokin’ Aces). Just when his success finally seems near, Marty’s girlfriend Rosarita (played by: Lara Flynn Boyle from Wayne’s World, Twin Peaks, Happiness, Men in Black II, Poltergeist III, Red Rock West, and Dead Poets Society) leaves him because she can’t deal with the new addition to his body. Can the arm be far behind for the unlucky comedian???? The Dark Backward is an underrated dark comedy from the early 90’s. Cult director Adam Rifkin is behind the camera for this hilarious oddity. This takes a unique look into show business and the struggles of it. Lead actor Judd Nelson transforms into his Marty Malt character for this. He lost all kinds of weight for the role and he has that nerdy look to him as the ambitious trash man. He wants more in life and he has some serious dreams of being a famous stand up comedian one day. The problem is that he’s too awkward, he has bad timing, and he’s not funny at all. The only thing he has going for him is his relationship with his girlfriend. When he notices a bump on his back, it turns into an unexpected additional arm. Unfortunately, that makes his partner walk away but it helps with his career. Marty can’t catch a break no matter what happens. He’s the underdog that you root for despite all of his unlucky situations. The late great character actor Bill Paxton steals the show as the annoying scumbag Gus. He acts like he’s Marty’s only friend but he’s really all about himself. He uses whoever to get what he wants. He plays the accordion so he weasels his way into Marty’s act when he starts to have success. He dresses like how he acts, dirty in his garbage man uniform. He loves the big girls and he’s not afraid to show it. Bill Paxton gives one of his greatest performances in this. Lara Flynn Boyle is the supportive Rosarita. She’s really only one that believes in Marty’s goals. She works in a diner trying to have enough to survive in this complicated world. The rest of the supporting cast includes Wayne Newton, James Caan (The Godfather), Rob Lowe (St. Elmo’s Fire), Tony Cox (Bad Santa franchise), King Moody (The Nutt House), Claudia Christian (Maniac Cop 2), Danny Dayton (Guys and Dolls), Carrie Lynn (Heathers), Anna Berger (The Sopranos), Lydell M. Cheshier (Ricochet), Tom Hodges (Critters 2: The Main Course), Theodocia Goodrich (Take Two), Laurianne Jameson (Dollman), Tony Markes (Valley Girl), Arturo Gil (Spaceballs), and Adam Rifkin (Sixteen Candles). The Dark Backward has excellent special fx from artist Tony Gardner (Chucky franchise, Evil Dead II, Army of Darkness, Darkman, and The Lost Boys). The Dark Backward is loaded with talent and it’s such an odd concept for a bigger production so I’ve always appreciated it for not changing for the mainstream. It’s unfortunately probably why it didn’t do great when it was originally released but it’s gained its own fan base after hitting home video. It’s aimed at a particular audience but it delivers in every possible way for those dedicated viewers. It has a gritty and nasty atmosphere to it. Everything from it’s visual style and production design. The entire world is a little shady and it’s the type of environment most people avoid. The Dark Backward shines at making you feel uncomfortable, nothing comes easy here. The build up and the unexpected finish is a excellent observation of the sacrifice of fame. These weird individuals just want to do something worthwhile so they put themselves out there despite the possibility of complete failure. Adam Rifkin doesn’t hold back or water down anything, he sticks to his vision and he gives cinema something different to experience. The Dark Backward is beyond underrated, it’s not for everyone but it’s truly original and entertaining in the most bizarre scenarios. STRONGLY RECOMMENDED!!!! Let’s discuss this high definition presentation and special features from Sony Pictures! This 1080p (1.85:1) transfer is from a newer restoration from the original camera negative. This odd and forgotten dark comedy is back in the home video world. I’ve owned The Dark Backward on DVD since 2007 and this brand new home video release blows it away. It’s never going to be reference quality or probably even given any 4K treatment but it still looks way better than expected especially considering it’s gritty style. The cinematography, special fx, locations, and production design create their own universe. It’s dirty, dark, and bizarre but it always stands out. It has English: DTS-HD Master Audio 2.0 and Spanish: DTS-HD Master Audio 2.0 tracks on the disc. The audio has some intense moments but it’s mainly highlighted by it’s score for this one. All of the dialogue is crisp, the awkward stuff is elevated, and the music has a big boost to it. It has English and English SDH subtitles. It has an “Audio Commentary” with Adam Rifkin, Brad Wyman, Judd Nelson, and Bill Paxton. It has the almost 3 minute “Director’s Introduction” with Adam Rifkin from 2006. This from the original DVD home video release. He says that this has been at the bottom of Sony’s priority list but they finally convinced them to give it a new release after all these years. It’s a funny parody intro that has a little fun at making a joke out of this. It has the over 30 minute “Blump’s Squeezable Documentary” directed by Mattt Potter (The Book of Orgazmo). It has interviews with Adam Rifkin, Brad Wyman, Judd Nelson, Bill Paxton, and Wayne Newton. Adam Rifkin said this was the first script that he wrote when he moved to make a career of doing movies. He originally wanted to do it in black and white. Judd Nelson wanted to do The Dark Backward but Adam Rifkin wasn’t convinced with him being the lead. He did some random stand up shows to prove his dedication to this project so he got the gig after this. This got the attention of the studios after that but almost none of them wanted to do it based on the script. It got picked without not knowing what they were getting into. Bill Paxton was the only choice for Gus that’s actually based on a real person. Paxton tells the story on how he was sold on this little odd comedy. He took the role to meet Wayne Newton. Both Nelson and Paxton went to NYU so they already knew each other it was an easy decision to work together for this. Wayne Newton didn’t understand the script at first but it eventually grew on him. He was originally offered a cameo but he did the 3rd biggest part in The Dark Backward for free. He covered everything he needed himself for the set. This is very detailed inside look into this wlld production. It has the little over 39 minute “15th Anniversary Q and A” with Adam Rifkin, Bill Paxton, Judd Nelson, and Brad Wyman. Rifkin said it took about 4 years to get it made after writing the script. He originally pitched it to lawyers and others with money but that didn’t go anywhere. Rifkin passed on producer Brad Wyman at first until his mom convinced him to give him a shot. They tell some hilarious stories on how it was developed. It got it’s name from a random page from Shakespeare. The actors mention what got them interested in this smaller production. This is an entertaining group chat about the dark comedy. It has almost 18 minutes of “Deleted Scenes” with an introduction from director Adam Rifkin. He says that the original version was around 3 hours and 30 minutes. It has a little over 6 minutes of “Outtakes”. It has a little over 5 minutes of “Cannes Promo Shorts”. It has the almost 4 minute “Catch My Dreams Clip Compilation”. It has the little over a minute “Animation from the Film”. It has the little over a minute “The Head Nerd”. It’s a quick conversation with Adam Rifkin about his cameo in Sixteen Candles. He came back and he watched him direct more of the movie later on. It has the almost 2 minute “James Caan”. Rifkin chats about how he got the legendary actor to appear in a small role in this. It has a lost scene with Caan at the end of this. Director Adam Rifkin went above and beyond back when The Dark Backward was originally getting released on DVD for the first time so everything was carried over from that older disc. I wish Sony let him do some newer and exclusive stuff for this one but I am still happy that it had everything from before on it. It’s available everywhere right now including MovieZyng.com, CHECK IT OUT!!!!