Product Details

• Actors: Anna Berger, Lara Flynn Boyle, James Caan, Claudia Christian, Danny Dayton
• Format: Closed-captioned, Color, Dolby, NTSC
• Language: English
• Rating: R (Restricted)
• Number of tapes: 1
• Studio: Sony Pictures
• VHS Release Date: January 18, 2000
• Run Time: 100 minutes
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars See all reviews (31 customer reviews)
• ASIN: 6302298709
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #28,448 in Video (See Bestsellers in Video)

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Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com
Further riffing on the trashy settings made popular by Repo Man and Street Trash in cult cinema, The Dark Backward stars two garbage men whose attempts at celebrity land them in even more pathetic territory. Director Adam Rifkin's (Detroit Rock City) first film, The Dark Backward, makes revolting comedy out of its carnivalesque plot, in which Marty Malt (Judd Nelson), a garbage man turned second-rate comedian grows an arm out of his back, thereby guaranteeing him a space in show business for freak show inflected stand-up comedy appearances. Cohort, Gus (Bill Paxton), meanwhile, secures him a Vegas-style talent agent, Jackie Chrome (Wayne Newton), who eventually rounds up real attention from bigwig Hollywood man, Dirk Delta (Rob Lowe). The fabulously raunchy, John Waters-inspired characters are what rescue this film from utter stupidity. Marty is the consummate spectacle-sporting nerd, as is Dirk Delta, who wears buckteeth to up the sleaze factor, offering a rare glimpse of two Brat Pack studs degraded to abnormal levels. Gus, the accordion-wielding confidant, masters several key scenes in which he licks a corpse at the local dump and eats rotten chicken. Occasionally, Marty's fling, Rosalita (Lara Flynn Boyle), provides visual respite for this otherwise stupendously dirty film. Comedy of this variety is scarce, making this DVD a treasure to those who find abjection hilarious. Additionally, The Dark Backward special edition disc contains "Blump's Squeezable Documentary," starring Rifkin and cast reminiscing about the making of this unusual gem. — Trinie Dalton

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

15 of 16 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Hilarious dark comedy of twisted, disgusting proportions, February 14, 2004

By	Schtinky "Schtinky" (California) - See all my reviews (TOP 500 REVIEWER)

The Dark Backward is a sickly twisted comedy of ridiculous and nauseatingly gross proportions that will leave you laughing until you cry and barfing up your lunch.
Judd Nelson plays Marty Malt, an extremely bad BAD stand up comedian. Don't expect the Judd Nelson from The Breakfast Club either; as Marty he is a sweaty, Jeffrey Combs type character and plays the role very, very well. His best friend is Gus, played expertly by Bill Paxton, a greasy and disgusting accordion player whose girlfriend Nicolette weighs over 400 pounds.

Marty and Gus work as Trash Collectors during the day, and while working Gus spies a lump on Marty's back, like a boil. Marty goes to visit Dr. Scurvy, outlandishly played by James Caan, who puts a band-aid over it and charges Marty $200.00.

Gus manages to bring talent scout Jackie Chrome (played by Wayne Newton) in to hear Marty's routine, and Jackie walks out on it, telling Gus that Marty is the worst comedian he has ever heard. Marty is crushed but Gus keeps his good spirits about it all. Marty's "lump" grows some more, and Gus discovers he now has a hand growing out of his back, like a baby's hand. When Marty goes to see Dr. Scurvy again, Dr. Scurvy again places a band-aid over the baby hand and accuses Marty of "picking at it". Marty's waitress girlfriend, Rosarita, played by Laura Flynn Boyle, leaves him because she can't date a man with a three hands.

The hand grows into a full sized arm, and Jackie Chrome winds out taking on Marty as a client, turning him into Desi The Three Armed Wonder Comedian. Gus joins up as a sidekick to play his accordion inbetween Marty's terrible jokes. Watch for Rob Lowe to show up in a cameo role as Hollywood Bigwig Dirk Delta.

This is a tongue in cheek, very dark comedy with scenes of pure grossness. The entire background of the film is seedy, filthy, and nauseating. From the grimy offices of Dr. Scurvy to Marty's mother's apartment where he clips her toenails while she chainsmokes though on oxygen, to the trash filled streets they are supposed to be cleaning, to the seedy bars and lounges, it is plain that there is a great amount of detail focused onto the overall atmosphere of the film, setting the perfect mood for the plot. Pay attention!

All throughout the movie we see the omnipresent Blump's, a company so encompassing that it owns the garbage company Gus and Marty work for, and also manufactures such delicacies as Liquid Bacon. Go ahead and make the connection, I did. Gus is the grossest imaginable character, even finding an old lunch pail in the landfill, opening it up, and eating the sandwich that was inside. Gus will eat anything. Also not to be missed is Marjorie Zipp and the Human Xylophone as they audition in Jackie Chrome's office. There are some hilarious twists in the plot, and an ironic ending, and some amazingly good acting throughout from this stellar cast.

The overall filth of the atmosphere and the disgusting physical and mental attributes of the characters make for one bizarre flick. Very funny movie, but only for those with sick and twisted funny bones. I wish it was available on DVD. Enjoy!

14 of 16 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The special edition DVD is still coming!!, October 19, 2006

By	M. Potter "Dark Backward DVD Producer" (Seattle, Wa) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

This review is from: The Dark Backward (Special Edition) (DVD)

My name is Mattt Potter I along with director Adam Rifkin put this DVD together. I talked to the manager of DVD Programming and Content yesterday on the phone. She assured me there is no truth to this, that there is no release date even set for it yet. We are still clearing up some licensing issues. The DVD will be in anamorphic wide screen. I know this because Adam supervised the transfer himself. All the supplements will be included with the disc.

Audio Commentary with Director Adam Rifkin, Bill Paxton, Judd Nelson, producer Brad Wyman and Mattt Potter
Arclight 15th Anniversary Q & A with Adam Rifkin, Bill Paxton, Judd Nelson and Brad Wyman
Deleted Scenes
Gagreel
Blumps Squeezable Documentary - Directed by Mattt Potter
Full length color version of the Cat and Mouse Cartoon from the film animated by Family Guys Dan Povenmire
Cannes Film Festival Video Promos starring Judd Nelson and Adam Rifkin
Director Video Intros
Music Video
Trailer

Please don't say things like BOYCOTT this disc. Because misinformation like this spreads very quickly on the internet. And it can affect sales on a disc that we spent a lot of hard time and work on for fans.

But I realize its not your fault that, that department gave you false information. I just want to make certain that everyone knows how important it is for this disc that we squash this as soon as possible.

Thanks! Adam and I hope you dig the disc!

Mattt Potter

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Dark Comedy and Carnivalesque, April 3, 2004

By	Mr. Matthew J. Williams "mavicdoo" (Cardiff) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

Cult director Adam Rifkin (Never on a Tuesday, The Chase, Detroit Rock City) delivers once more. Those of you familiar with his work will undoubtedly be familiar with his oddball characters and outlandish plots. For those of you new to his work, 'The Dark Backward' is the best place to begin.

Marty Malt (Judd Nelson) is the worst stand-up comic in the entire world. He is equally terrible at his day job, a garbage collector. It seems that Marty is not destined for stardom ... until one day something strange happens that changes his life forever.

His accordian playing, garbage-collecting co-worker, Gus (Bill Paxton), notices a lump growing out of Marty's back while they are doing the rounds. This odd growth is diagnosed by the disturbingly incompetent Doctor Scurvey (James Caan) as a third arm.

What would normally be an embarrassingly freakish human deformity, turns out to be Marty's comedic calling. Before, Gus was his sole fan; now he has a mass following. Enter the slimy Dirk Delta (Rob Lowe), who offers Marty the chance of Holywood stardom. So begins a successful career in comedy ... ?

Seemingly straight out of a Ray Bradbury short tale, Rifkin's film is furnished with carnivalesque characters. You will be astounded and revolted by characters like 'the fat woman', 'the muscle man', and 'the human xylophones'. Rob Lowe is unrecognizable in his role as slick Hollywood bigwig (a role he would later reprise in 'Wayne's World' and 'Tommy Boy'). James Caan is frighteningly brilliant as Dr. Scurvey, and leading man, Judd Nelson, puts in his best performance since 'St. Elmo's Fire' and 'The Breakfast Club' (look out for Judd's oddball cameo in Rifkin's 'Never on a Tuesday').

'The Dark Backwards' is arguably Rifkin's best film, not having directed anything since to equal it. It is certainly his strangest movie since 'Never on a Tuesday'. If you are a fan of cult movie directors like David Lynch and John Waters, check this film out. If you are afraid of zombies, freaks, midgets and men with three arms I suggest you look elsewhere.

Cast: Judd Nelson, Bill Paxton, Rob Lowe, James Caan, Lara Flynn Boyle, Wayne Newton, et al