Matters of Fact in Fiction

A cult classic of cinema, Risky Business starring Brian Backer, premiered on this day forty-three years ago. The plot of the film centers on a down-on-his-luck high schooler, Joel Goodson (Backer), who struggles with the ladies. When his wealthy parents leave for vacation, Goodson meets a call girl. The film follows their exploits while the parents are away.

The film includes an iconic scene of Backer’s character dancing around his parents’ home in his boxers while “Old Time Rock and Roll” plays. TV Guide rated it #7 on its list of #100 best comedic scenes of the twentieth century.

Backer went on to have a mildly successful career in film and later had a role on Sex and the City as Steve Brady. 

In our timeline, Brian Backer was, in fact, originally cast as Joel Goodson, until producers met Tom Cruise and decided to put him in the role. The film’s success launched Cruise’s career and made him an enduring man in American cinema. Backer, who had more of a dweebish persona, may have been a more natural fit for the high schooler who couldn’t get laid…

It’s worth examining if the movie would have had the same success. I think it hit on a particular feeling of the Eighties that still exists here, but I attempted to show how the movie might hit differently with Backer in the role. For example, the iconic scene from our timeline played on Cruise’s good looks and propelled him into leading man status. In this timeline however, it is played for comedic effect. Backer is put in boxers, not briefs, and it’s remembered for making audiences laugh.