MovieChat Forums > Risky Business (1983) Discussion > Was DeMornay setting Cruise up from the ...

Was DeMornay setting Cruise up from the beginning?

posted 10 years ago by joetigersfan
15 replies | jump to latest

It's been a while since I've seen this so allow me that disclaimer.

DeMornay is a call girl who gives Cruise a night of fun. She infiltrates his house, holds his egg hostage, and gets Guido the pimp inserted into Cruise's life. Long story short, the movie ends with Guido stealing all of Cruise's household belongings and then selling them back to him.

Certainly her prostitute friend (I forget her name) was in on it. In a gleeful and sadistically sarcastic manner, she helped Guido steal Cruise's stuff then sell it back to him. But my question is, was DeMornay in on it too? Was she intending to steal from Cruise all along? Or, for her, was this just a situation that started innocently and spun way out of control? If this was her intention, why? Cruise was an innocent and harmless kid who did nothing to her. Why would she do that to him?

Any theories are appreciated. Thanks.

[–] eddieinportland 10 years ago

It's open ended if you think Lana was setting up Joel. I think she was and backed out at the end.

When Joel was at school. Lana was going through the house looking at everything of value. Then Lana goes and picks up Vickie. And later Guido was at the house. Chance? Coincidences? I don't think so. Lana found Joel to be a mark that her and Vickie could rip off. To get back with Guido. Vickie helped Guido and for some strange reason. Lana was nowhere to be found.

I think at first, Lana was in on it and was setting Joel up. But she later developed feelings for Joel. Remember at the end of the film. Lana and Joel still wanted to see each other.

Now in the original ending of the film that the director wanted to use. Joel does ask Lana if she did set him up. And Lana says no, but Joel doesn't really believe her. But the studio wanted more of a upbeat ending that we all saw. Where Joel and Lana are friends thinking of the future. Lana telling Joel that she would like to see him when he's back in town. And Joel tells Lana that he won't take a check from her. And then they start their playful banter with each other.

Still after all these years. Risky Business is a great film. I hope they never remake it.

[–] joetigersfan 10 years ago

Good assessment. Thanks, Eddie. I can see the part about "yes in the beginning" but developed feelings for him and started to pull away from the scamming of Joel. I like the alternative ending where Joel says he "doesn't believe her." I wouldn't believe her either.

[–] sarizonana 9 years ago

I just finished watching this movie and I enjoyed it very much but wow the other ending would have changed the whole tone of the film but i did like more this up beat ending.

[–] MichaelMovieLoft 8 years ago

I just finished watching this movie and I enjoyed it very much but wow the other ending would have changed the whole tone of the film but i did like more this up beat ending.

I just saw the original ending as well and it definitely changed the tone of the film. It goes from being a funny movie with a cute ending to a movie with funny moments but more serious overtones. The funny thing today is that Brickman would probably get the ending he wanted, especially with the rise of independent filmmaking. Films started getting edgier with their movies and a happy ending was not a prerequisite for a good film.

MM

[–] Blueghost 8 years ago

Probably. This was clearly base on some scam that happened in real life somewhere. It seems likely that whatever scam was pulled both prostitutes were in on it, and probably served time in the end, where Guido (having become a human from Rodian form ... sorry, Star Wars humor ... couldn't help myself) probably wound up in prison for the rest of his life for masterminding the whole thing.

[–] 8 years ago

[deleted]

[–] bsharporflat-50959 8 years ago

But my question is, was DeMornay in on it too? Was she intending to steal from Cruise all along? Or, for her, was this just a situation that started innocently and spun way out of control? If this was her intention, why? Cruise was an innocent and harmless kid who did nothing to her. Why would she do that to him?

I agree with others that Lana developed some feelings for Joel by the end.

I disagree that this was enough for Lana to completely turn around and have nothing to do with the robbery. It has been noticed that Lana went through Joel's house when he wasn't around, cataloging and mentally pricing everything. Notice how Guido sells everything back to Joel for specific prices. That's a weird way for a pimp to do business. Why not all or nothing? And how does Guido know what all that stuff is worth, individually?

In the end, Joel himself suspects Lana of the robbery and asks her, point blank, if she was involved. She says no, but the question wouldn't have been asked if we weren't supposed to suspect it also.

Lana is a product of sexual abuse and victimization. She has learned to compartmentalize her own feelings of love, using them to advance herself. That's why she is a prostitute.

As Lana tells Joel, my mind is always working, always thinking (about ways to make money). I can't help it.

This was the set-up for getting Joel to use his house as a brothel and making huge amounts of money in one night. But Lana's mind is always working. Why not have a plan to divest Joel of his share, once the night is over.

Did she care for Joel a little? Yes. But that wouldn't stop her from using him. That's what her life is about. Using sex/love to make money. Lana is meant to be a complicated, mysterious character. When Joel asks her if she is really his girlfriend, she answers- Yes........No............Maybe. That sums it up.

(Plus she knew Joel was going away to Princeton and a life that wouldn't include her. Plus she knew that taking Joel's earned money for the night wouldn't ruin his life. He still had the silver spoon in his mouth. Plus, without her, he'd be going to Univ. of Illinois instead of Princeton. That's worth a little something.)

[–] Beeracuda 8 years ago

With all that in mind, do you think her "accidentally" knocking the Porsche's stick shift into neutral, then locking the keys in the car was done on purpose? Keep in mind, that if he didn't need to pay for the repairs on his father's car, he wouldn't accept the whole brothel idea.

[–] bsharporflat-50959 8 years ago

With all that in mind, do you think her "accidentally" knocking the Porsche's stick shift into neutral, then locking the keys in the car was done on purpose? Keep in mind, that if he didn't need to pay for the repairs on his father's car, he wouldn't accept the whole brothel idea.

Good question.

Plotwise that might make sense.

But the last time I watched the movie I was looking specifically for that and it really seemed like the car went into the water by accident not on purpose by Lana. I'd be interested if others see that scene and disagree.

[–] Tommen_Forever 7 years ago

Why would she do that to him?

Because she was a capitalist. That's the entire point of the film's satire. Everyone gets ripped off.

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[–] speeder-985-717588 7 years ago

This was on HBO last night. (Just like in the good old days). I caught the 2nd half. I don't think I had ever really even appreciated the fact that the whole movie ends up basically being a scam at his expense. When I was younger I was too distracted by him hooking up with Rebecca De Mornay, tossing on the shades, and lighting up a cigarette.....he seemed way too cool to even remotely be a victim. But that's pretty much what it is. I do think Lana is lying at the end but, as others said, it's because she changed her mind about Joel.

[–] swartzja-380-904210 7 years ago

Yes and no. Clearly Lana set it up. Her plot allowed Joel to get the money he needed to fix the car. After that, her plot worked to get her and Vicki back into the good graces of Guido. When Joel asks her if it was just a set up or all a set up, she accurately says no. It was not ALL or JUST a set up as she did care about Joel and helped him get the car fixed. But she also set him up.

[–] bobbydallas (8110) 5 years ago

He asked her in the end if it was all a set-up. She replied no but he doesn't believer her. Guess we'll never know for sure.. but I'm under the impression she didn't care so much about ol' Joel

[–] onemanarmy82 (1764) 3 years ago

ABSOLUTELY! I watched this last night for the 100th time. After their first night together, when Joel gives Lana his real name, Lana is sizing Joel and his parents' valuables up! She was asking how much the house was, looking meticulously at the silver among other things. When Joel goes to school/the bank and leaves Lana in the house, Lana "goes to work". She was looking all over the house. She found the keys to the cabinets with the valuables and Mr. Goodson's Porsche to pick up Vicky at the train. NOW, we have Lana AND Vicky scoping the house. Glen and Miles come over for a little "relaxation therapy" and Lana along with Vicky, I'm sure, are taken with in so many words how WASPy Joel and his friends are. Manners, clothes, MONEY/BONDS.... At this moment, Guido "The Killer Pimp" (I LOVE that! lol) doesn't know where Joel lives. Joel lost Guido after leaving the hotel with Lana and Miles. When Joel asks Lana and Vicky to leave and they return making a scene on the front lawn with Guido, I took this as a scam of sorts. Lana knows she fucked Guido over and as someone else had mentioned, showing Guido Joel's house was a "peace offering". Guido wasn't exactly a model citizen. So, I don't think breaking and entering is far-fetched for him but, he doesn't know what/where the valuables are. THIS is where Lana....and Vicky come in. I believe one of them or both drew up a floor plan to point Guido in the right directions. The train ride after the night of "Free Enterprise" that Lana took Joel on was THE HEIST. Keep Joel occupied while Guido, Vicky and anyone else did their thing. And yes, as someone else mentioned, Vicky did take a sadistic thrill of screwing Joel over. Joel was book smart, no question but, street smarts...….? Guido, Lana and Vicky had Joel by the balls and they knew it.