Risky Business

Main Plot

"Risky Business," directed by Paul Brickman, follows high school senior Joel Goodson, who is left home alone when his parents go on vacation. Seizing the opportunity to break free from his disciplined life, Joel indulges in reckless behavior. His adventures take a wild turn when he hires a call girl named Lana, leading to a series of unexpected events. As Joel's house becomes the center of a makeshift brothel, he finds himself entangled in a chaotic mix of pleasure and peril. The situation spirals further out of control when his father's prized Porsche is accidentally submerged in a lake. Joel must navigate through this mess, balancing the consequences of his actions with his aspirations for the future. The film explores themes of youthful rebellion, the pressures of impending adulthood, and the consequences of risky decisions, all set against a backdrop of 1980s suburban America.

Characters

• Joel Goodson, a high school student, turns his house into a temporary brothel to cover the costs of damages after his parents leave town.
• Rebecca De Mornay plays Lana, a call girl who becomes romantically involved with the protagonist, Joel, and helps him navigate a series of risky ventures.
• Joe Pantoliano plays Guido, a pimp who complicates the protagonist's life by involving him in risky business ventures and escalating the stakes.

Ending Explained

In the conclusion of "Risky Business," directed by Paul Brickman, protagonist Joel Goodson, played by Tom Cruise, finds himself in a precarious situation after his entrepreneurial venture spirals out of control. Joel, a high school student, initially turns his parents' home into a temporary brothel to raise money for college after a series of misadventures. However, things take a turn for the worse when Guido, a pimp, steals all the furniture from Joel's house as retribution for interfering with his business. In a desperate bid to recover the stolen items before his parents return, Joel negotiates with Guido, ultimately buying back the furniture using the profits from his risky business. The climax sees Joel successfully restoring the house to its original state just in time. Despite the chaos, Joel's unconventional business acumen impresses a Princeton University recruiter, securing his admission to the prestigious institution. The film ends on a reflective note, with Joel and his love interest, Lana, contemplating their future. The conclusion underscores themes of risk, reward, and the unpredictable nature of adolescence.