The Dark Backward is a 1991 surreal Black Comedy written and directed by Adam Rifkin. It stars Judd Nelson, Bill Paxton, Lara Flynn-Boyle, and Wayne Newton, with cameos including Rob Lowe and James Caan.
Marty Malt (Nelson) is a nervous loser who collects garbage by day and makes miserable attempts at stand-up comedy by night. His only friend Gus, an exceptionally loud and disgusting accordionist, is the only one who finds him funny. One day, Marty begins growing a third arm from the center of his back. Believing that this novelty is the ticket to their success, Gus recruits the talent agent Jackie Chrome (Newton) to promote Marty and him as a double act.
This movie contains examples of:
- Anachronism Stew: The time period is ambiguous, with some technology looking to be out of the 1980s, while other items appear to date back to the 1940s.
- Anti-Humor: A great deal of the movie is devoted to Marty's incredibly unfunny stand-up comedy and Gus's obnoxious antics.
- Artistic License – Music: Perhaps intentionally, Bill Paxton moves his hand away from the keys of his accordion for a few seconds, and the music never stops.
- Bittersweet Ending: In the end, Gus does not reconnect with Rosalita and does not get the television gig, but he does actually start to tell funny jokes.
- Celebrity Cameo: James Caan has a small part, and Rob Lowe has one scene.
- Chubby Chaser: Gus shacks up with three morbidly obese women, though he also shows interest other women.
- Crapsack World: The setting is a surreal and extremely unpleasant place. The cityscape is dilapidated and covered in trash. The technology is mostly outdated and crumbling. Everyone seems to be miserable and sweating constantly.
- Dr. Jerk: Marty keeps going to the same doctor played by James Caan, who is not only disgusting but also rude, dismissive, and ignorant.
- Drop Dead Gorgeous: Gus finds the naked corpse of a young woman in the dump and is immediately aroused.
- Extreme Omnivore: No food is too old or rotten for Gus to heartily chow down on it. He proudly proclaims that he will eat anything. We see him eat a variety of stale or rotten food, and he mentions eating a dog.
- Extreme Omnisexual: Gus makes advances on every woman with a pulse (and those without a pulse as well).
- False Friend: Gus supports Marty throughout the film, showering him with encouragement and getting him professional opportunities. However, it's eventually revealed that he's only doing so to ride Marty's coattails. He ultimately betrays Marty by sleeping with his ex and lying about, then takes Marty's television without a care for Marty's feelings.
- Gag Nose: Rob Lowe's casting director character sports a fake hook nose.
- I Love the Dead: Gus doesn't mind rotten food, and he doesn't mind rotten lovers either. When he finds the naked body of a woman in the dump, he immediately starts licking her breasts.
- It's All About Me: Gus seems like a supportive (if extremely obnoxious) friend, but he's ultimately only concerned for himself.
- Large Ham: Almost all of Gus's screen time sees him shouting, roaring with laughter, dancing, playing the accordion, and tossing junk around. One wonders how Bill Paxton found the energy to do multiple takes.
- Nerd Glasses: Marty sports glasses with thick, dark frames. Paired with his limp hair, they mark him as a loser.
- Non-Actor Vehicle: Musician Wayne Newton has a surprisingly large role.
- Riddle for the Ages: Why Marty grew a third arm and why it went away.
- Worst Aid: When confronted with a hand growing out of Marty's back, the doctor puts a band-aid on it and charges Marty $250.
