The Boost (1988): Cast, Box Office & Plot
The Boost is a 1988 romantic drama directed by Harold Becker, starring James Woods as Lenny Brown, Sean Young and Steven Hill. It runs 1 hour 35 minutes and earned $784,990 worldwide.
- Released
- Runtime
- 1h 35m (95 min)
- Director
- Harold Becker
- Original language
-
English - Studio
- Hemdale Film Corporation
- After the credits
- No No extra scene
What Is The Boost About?
The premise of The Boost without spoilers. The whole story is in the plot summary further down.
Seeking wealth in California through tax‑shelter schemes, Lenny Brown is blindsided when new federal tax laws saddle him with a $700,000 debt. Desperate, his friend Joel pushes cocaine as a quick “boost.” The drug ignites a rapid descent into addiction and madness as Lenny struggles to reclaim his life, perpetually craving that extra lift.
The Boost Themes & Keywords
· 33 tags- man punches a woman
- cigarette smoking
- f word
- social downfall
- rise and fall
- success
- courtroom
- live action
- addiction
- drug addiction
- drugs
- cocaine
+21 more Show fewer
- female star appears nude
- mexico
- private plane
- wrong table at restaurant
- veterinarian
- wounded dog
- real estate
- surfboard
- miscarriage
- mercedes benz
- husband wife relationship
- hospital
- failing
- domestic violence
- dead body
- businessman
- ambulance
- based on novel
- independent film
- based on book
- title spoken by character
The Boost Cast & Characters
James Woods leads the cast as Lenny Brown, with Sean Young as Linda Brown and Steven Hill as Max Sherman. Directed by Harold Becker; 20 actors are credited in all.
-
Director Harold Becker
-
James Woods as Lenny Brown -
Sean Young as Linda Brown -
Steven Hill as Max Sherman -
John Kapelos as Joel Miller
Also Starring in The Boost
· 16 more- David Tress Dr. Shapiro
- Grace Zabriskie Sheryl
- John Rothman Ned
- Amanda Blake Barbara
- Edith Fields Office Manager
- John Philbin Tim
- Suzanne Kent Helen
- June Chandler Secretary
- David Preston Surfer
- Barry Jenner Billy
- Marc Poppel Mark
- Fred McCarren Tom
- Libby Boone Delores
- Greg Deason Michael
- David Bantly Dr. Bishop
- Kelle Kerr Rochelle
More from Harold Becker
More films directed by Harold Becker, best-rated first: City Hall, Vision Quest, Taps and Malice.
The Boost Plot Summary
What happens in The Boost from start to finish, spoilers included, with a timeline of 13 key events. The opening is below; the full summary is a 3-minute read.
Spoilers ahead
Lenny Brown is a real-estate hustler chasing a big payday, and he shares a life with his devoted wife, Linda Brown, a paralegal and amateur dancer. Financial pressures shadow their early years, yet the bond between them remains strong as Linda pledges to stand by her husband no matter what. She even articulates a vow to stay by his side until she says she will, a line that hints at the couple’s optimism even as their world teeters on the edge of collapse.
Full summary
The whole story of The Boost, scene by scene
The Boost Box Office
The Boost grossed $784,990 worldwide.
Worldwide gross
$785K
- US & Canada
- $785K
How Well Do You Know The Boost?
10 questions about the story, each with a hint if you get stuck. Pick an answer to see whether you were right.
Question 1 of 10
- Question 1: not answered
- Question 2: not answered
- Question 3: not answered
- Question 4: not answered
- Question 5: not answered
- Question 6: not answered
- Question 7: not answered
- Question 8: not answered
- Question 9: not answered
- Question 10: not answered
What is Lenny Brown's line of work when the story begins?
The Boost Also Known As
10 alternative titles, including “Cocaina” and “Impulso sensual”.
- Also known as
-
- Cocaina
- Impulso sensual
- Der Preis des Erfolges
- Підзарядка
- Помощ
- Etat de Choc
- Tensão
- Kétes üzlet
- 推波助澜
- Camino al Fracaso
Seen The Boost?
Movies Like The Boost
Films with a similar story, tone or audience, including Boost, The Big Bluff and The Payoff.
The Boost FAQ: Cast, Box Office & Runtime
Runtime, release date, director, cast, box office and post-credit scenes of The Boost, each answered in a sentence.
How long is The Boost?
The Boost runs 1 hour 35 minutes (95 minutes).
When was The Boost released?
The Boost was released on December 23, 1988.
Who directed The Boost?
The Boost was directed by Harold Becker.
More films by Harold Becker Who is in the cast of The Boost?
The Boost stars James Woods as Lenny Brown, Sean Young as Linda Brown and Steven Hill as Max Sherman, among 20 credited actors.
How much did The Boost make at the box office?
The Boost grossed $784,990 worldwide.
Does The Boost have a post-credit scene?
No. The Boost has no extra scene during or after the credits.
Coming soon to your phone
The Plot Explained Movie Summary App
From blockbusters to hidden gems: plot summaries, endings explained and timelines on your phone. Save your favorites and never miss a twist again.
Be the first to know when it launches. Your email stays private, always. Learn more about the app
