5308
Released 37 years ago, directed by Tim Hunter and written by Neil Jimenez, this is both a once-seen-never-forgotten and “how the fuck did this ever get made” film from 1987. Essentially a story about neglected youth growing up in a society that values nothing, it opens with a hulking teen sitting on a riverbank, smoking a cigarette next to the naked dead body of his girlfriend, who he recently strangled for reasons he is unable to articulate.
In other words, it’s an exploration of teenage nihilism unchecked.
With terrific performances from a young, good-hearted but lost Keanu Reeves (the only one with a moral compass), his best friend Crispin Glover as an unstable teenage sociopath, and 12-year-old Joshua Miller as a very troubled younger brother to Keanu, it’s a strong cast. Oh, let’s not forget Dennis Hopper as the one-legged pot dealer Feck, who lets the kids use his place as a clubhouse.
I loved this film when I saw it 37 years ago, and I have to say it’s held up quite well. While watching it last night with my wife, at one point, she asked, “Could teenagers really be so apathetic?”
To which I replied, “Yes, they can.”
Highly recommended with a caveat. Things are going to get very dark indeed.