For me Schrader is a second-rate director, and Light Sleeper is a poor attempt at a modern day film noir. Its attempt at angst-ridden existentialism renders the movie ponderous and dull whilst the dialogue is often unengaging and vacuous. Considering this film was released in the same year as Reservoir Dogs, one can see how writers such as Schrader were being seen as part of the Old Hollywood. I know these days there has been a volt face as far as this movie and Tarantino's debut are concerned with Tarantino laughed at as a fan boy director and Schrader now lauded as the master director he never was. But this effort is rather under-whelming. It feels like an average TV movie with a terrible soundtrack and unconvincing sets. Like someone has tried to remake Taxi Driver on a micro-budget.
For me Schrader, with all his screen writing kudos, is an ineffective director, and Light Sleeper is a perfect example of his overrated directorial abilities.
For me Schrader, with all his screen writing kudos, is an ineffective director, and Light Sleeper is a perfect example of his overrated directorial abilities.