River's Edge
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Movie Reviews of River's Edge
Movie Review: River's Edge
Summary: 5 Stars
Part of my "Teens gone Bad" series. One of those sad but true stories.
Good Copy.
Movie Review: Really twisted
Summary: 4 Stars
My only problem with this movie is that I worry about it going into the minds of young children, children who might not have parents who are willing to talk about it with them. It's meant to be disturbing, and it certainly is, but there's just so much nihilism in here...Anyway, it's certainly well acted, and raises some grueling issues. I recently saw this again for the first time in ages, and a few things hit me with renewed force. For some reason, one of the tenderest, most real-sounding parts of this film was the scene where Matt and Clarissa are making love in the park, (with gunshots ringing out periodically in the background, and Matt and Clarissa not knowing who's shooting whom), and they say "I like you" to each other. Obviously their lives at this point include ten times more theatrics than anyone should ever have to tolerate, so bringing "The L Word," love, into things would just make life even crazier. Somehow, just the fact that they at least say "I like you" tells me that they aren't numb or alienated, really, but just reaching for a way, and a level, where they can reach out for other human beings with some kind of integrity. Also, in the same part of the movie, the director alternates scenes of Matt's face, completely OUT of control with Clarissa-induced bliss, with shots of their psycho pal John, raving about how being IN control makes him feel ALIVE (this is screamed) and therefore happy. Matt's happiness doesn't really have to come from a firey, demented internal process ending in total control like John's does -- he's just a good person, and happy to be with Clarissa at all, happy she likes him... Kind of a pointed little contrast, I thought.
Other high points of the movie -- Layne is convincingly demented, as portrayed by Crispin Glover. Glover seems to be sort of like Robin Williams -- he always seems to have just chased down an octuple espresso coffee with a large mug of Jolt cola, even in real life. I saw him on the Tonight Show once, years ago, and he was even more hyper than in this movie. He was so whacked out I'm not sure I was convinced that real kids would follow his lead, actually -- he was just plain crazed.
Anyway, I'm just pointing out a few things to watch for. This is basically a very good movie, but if you are a child, or if you have children, I recommend being careful about watching this. It's disturbing stuff, and you won't ever forget the movie once you've seen it.
Movie Review: 80s TrailerPark culture
Summary: 4 Stars
Black-Death-Speed Metal Teenaged Rocker Dudes and their hella fine girlfriends, living in white-trash Stockton and smoking dope that they stole from their burnt out parents, hanging out on the banks of the Sacramento River. Apathy, rage, anger, and a desire to fit in and belong while understanding that the future is guaranteed to be a bleak repetition of this cycle of working class poverty. Most adults are either hard case Reagan era suits or "Alan Alda/Rob Riener school of self-awareness" ineffectuals and either way are twice as befuddled about this generation as the parents of the flower children were about THAT generation. When the adults are freaks and things go terribly wrong in your little clique that represents the only GOOD things in your life, where do you turn? Do you even care? Realistic portrayal of lower-class living in Northern California. Speed Freaks, Burnt out and disenfranchised adults, broken families and lots of testosterone and machismo. Yup. Growing up in the 80s as white trash sucked when the "16 Candles elite" was constantly flashed in your face. Wait until the 90s when Quake and Doom are released and ultra-violence is REALLY embraced by the socially outcast and desensitized youths. The kids in this movie were raised by kids that were already lost, and had little chance out of the starting gate. The movie is a study in futility and the apathy it breeds. Really an honest and insightful look at this segment of our society that doesn't try to pose any answers or solutions, and maybe suggests that there aren't any. Perhaps this movie is more of a Shakesperian tragedy about the inevitable courses of mankind than any kind of message about how the 60s generation eroded traditional family values. (I think it takes a huge stretch to see THAT message anywhere in this movie at all, or maybe just being clueless).
Yup. Don't let your kids watch this movie, they might think it is cool, grow their hair long and kill their girlfriend and smoke and have casual sex and do other really bad things. Hmnnn... But maybe if this movie triggers this kind of behavior in your kid, you've already got some problems there already, anyhow... :)
Movie Review: "It was right in front of me. I poked at it with a stick"
Summary: 4 Stars
"River's Edge" revolves around the reactions (or lack of them) by high school students to the murder of a high school girl by her boyfriend. Nearly all the kids have a dysfunctional family or other disruptive situation that leaves them untrusting of adults. The death of their friend by another friend creates a tension among them as to whether they should turn him in.The main group of kids is composed of Crispin Glover, Keanu Reeves, Ione Skye and Roxana Zal. Keanu lives with his little terrorist brother, Josh Miller, an even younger sister, his single mother and her do-nothing boyfriend. The other main character is "Feck" played by Dennis Hopper. He is a criminal in hiding, and is the main source for "Feck weed". Some of the acting is either nearly over the top (Glover) or questionable (Reeves), but Dennis Hopper is great as a rather strange character with a past and a large love doll, Ellie, as a friend. Josh Miller as the younger trouble-making brother is disturbing and excellent.
Although the movie is a drama and is rather unnerving, it has some unusual humor, most of it coming from Feck and the younger brother, who is about 10 or 11 years old. At one point the kid is mad and goes to see his friend at night and taps on his window - "Bring your numchuks. And get your dad's car. I know where I can get a gun".
The movie is heavy on smoking and drinking among teens and pre-teens, rampant swearing by teens and pre-teens, and teen sex. Oh yeah, a full frontal nude girl, though she's dead and turning a few colors. The DVD has the widescreen movie, chapter, subtitles (French/Spanish) and a trailer. I strongly recommend it for Dennis Hopper and Josh Miller if nothing else.
Movie Review: "American Graffiti" meets "American Psycho"
Summary: 4 Stars
Before Larry Clarke's uber-nihilistic "Kids" (and the real-life Columbine tragedy) came along and made this movie look like a wacky Disney romp, Tim Hunter's "River's Edge" WAS the most disturbing look at modern teenage alienation ever put on film. Based on a true story, "River's Edge" examines a group of high school stoners and thier reactions (or inaction) to the thrill kill murder of one of thier friends by her boyfriend. The resulting angst, confusion, guilt and conflicted peer-pressure loyalty issues makes for cracking drama, and the talented, well-directed ensemble cast is more than up for it. Crispin Glover steals the show with a decidedly weird, but compelling performance as the "alpha" of the teen pack. Co-star Dennis Hopper once stated in an interview that of all the young actors he has worked with since he appeared in "Rebel Without A Cause", Glover comes the closest (in terms of acting presence, not 'looks') to capturing James Dean's ghost. Keanu Reeves turns in a great performance, making it even more puzzling why he has since evolved into such an inert mannequin onscreen. The most interesting aspect of the film is that the more times you see it (and it does stand up to repeat viewings) the more darkly comic it becomes; not "ha-ha funny", but "funny" in the same way "To Die For" and "Punch-Drunk Love" are "funny". Not to be missed by any fan of intelligent, well-made cinema.