Light Sleeper (1991) - Paul Schrader 

It might seem preemptive but the more Schrader I see the more I like. Light Sleeper is another tale of urban alienation and a brilliant character piece. Every performance is incredible, particularly Dafoe who seems to be almost inside out throughout. The lighting is moody and the film is tied into the garbage strike which gives everything an external look of disgust. This city is literally wallowing in its own filth. There is something extremely commendable about Dafoe's character, a drug dealer with a heart of gold. He has some degree of morals and an idea of what's right, selling just "white drugs for white people." The world is free from harm and the ending bears a great deal of similarities to Taxi Driver but with a more well grounded tone. Can't wait for the Criterion DVD of Mishima and hopefully another Schrader classic.