Permanent Midnight(1998) -

: Much of the story is told in flashbacks as a recovering Stahl recounts his history to a woman named Kitty while staying in a motel.

as Kitty: A fellow recovery survivor who acts as the audience for Stahl's story.

is a gritty, independent drama based on the real-life memoirs of Hollywood screenwriter Jerry Stahl . The film is best known for Ben Stiller's raw, dramatic performance as Stahl, marking a major departure from his usual comedic roles. рџЋ¬ Core Premise Permanent Midnight(1998)

as Sandra: A British TV executive who marries Stahl for a green card and eventually develops real feelings for him.

as Jana: A high-powered Hollywood literary agent. вљ пёЏ Content & Viewer Guide : Much of the story is told in

as Nicky: Stahl's friend and fellow drug addict.

: The film chronicles Stahl's meteoric rise as a TV writer for shows like ALF (fictionalized as Mr. Chompers ) and his simultaneous downward spiral into a $6,000-a-week heroin addiction . The film is best known for Ben Stiller's

as Jerry Stahl: A self-destructive but talented writer.