Directed By: Dennis Hopper
Written By: Leonard Yakir & Brenda Nielson
Cinematography: Marc Champion
Editor: Doris Dyck
Cast: Linda Manz, Dennis Hopper, Sharon Farrell, Don Gordon, Raymond Burr, David Crawley, Jim Byrnes
A young girl whose father is an ex-convict and whose mother is a junkie finds it difficult to conform and tries to find comfort in a quirky combination of Elvis and the punk scene.
I have been waiting and trying to track down this film. Ever since I read about it in some video hound guide and various other sources.
I was afraid of the film as it has built Quite a reputation and certain expectations. Once i finally did see it I feel it was the right time to really appreciate. It took so long to look in an obvious places. This film once considered a lost cause. Ended up being a lost classic that is not for everyone.
A coming of age story of sorts only nothing truly uplifting comes along. At times when it seems unfocused is part of It’s design. The film is lost just as the main character is and seems to feel. Doing things just to get some kind of feel or attention.
The way she says “mother fucker” all the time is hilarious and one of a kind that you have to hear. As it is a kid trying to be tough constantly and coming out more comedic no matter how hard she tries to seem dangerous.
The film seems as ramshackle as the characters and the situations as it seems random and wandering like the lead Linda Manz but also make the film feel more natural. Though some Parts leave you worrying as the film goes numb and feels repetitive.
Raymond Burr is mentioned in the cast credits at the beginning and seem like he will be in the movie more but ends up more as a cameo and more cast just to add another recognizable name to the cast. Not to mention his role seems set up or where the typical way this type of story goes where he is the psychiatrist with a heart who is the only one who seems to name or get through to her. Only this film lets you know pretty soon that his isn’t that type of film.
The film is a character study of a family. The first half lays the ground work with the daughter seeing all while she is after her dad goes to prison. We see her home life with a mom who is sleeping with her boss a nice guy but she is a flirt and a drug addict. Who has her husband’s low life friends always tempting her and trying to sleep with her. So she is used and abused by most around her. The daughter is a punk rocker who is obsessed with Elvis Presley and always looking to be a rebel and for a good time. She is constantly angry and always acting out with no structured home life. Her behavior falls on deaf ears though unlike most films there is no one for her to trust, guide or truly look out for her.
Once her father played by Director Dennis Hopper gets out of prison the film then follows him as he goes back to his old ways of slowly drinking again while also being threatened and stalked by the father of one of the victims of the bus crash. We watch as he slowly breaks down as he constantly messes up while still being looked at as a hero by his daughter. Which adds a great weight to the movie and his performance.
Once we get to the third act everything comes together and we see how they affect one another.
The initial bus/truck crash is shocking and vividly shot and shown. Which ends up being the beginning of the eventual downfall of the family. Though it seems that it’s inevitable for these characters.
Just like EASY RIDER and THE LAST MOVIE. This film feels like the product of wherever Dennis Hopper’s mind and sensibilities were to show not only what seemed to be a kind of social mindset of downtrodden characters and a dysfunctional family tragedy that wasn’t as common on screen at the time. As it is easily melodramatic bit comes off more particular and extreme. Dennis Hopper said that he felt this film was a natural follow-up to his film EASY RIDER in that he felt that this is where the characters lives would be and lead to at the time. This is also the only film where he actively worked as a co-writer. As when he took over direction of the film he changed the film to reflect more of his own personal outlooks at the time.
Though it never feels like anyone is acting they feel like they are the characters. Even as you can see where the film is going. Though you might have to work hard to make it to the end. With so many despicable characters. You can see how they affect the main character to be how she is. As she still sucks her thumb and Still nice enough to trust strangers she shouldn’t. To remind us how young, vulnerable and impressionable she is. As Linda Manz once again give a brave natural star making performance. Really her only lead after two memorable supporting performances in THE WANDERERS and DAYS OF HEAVEN.
The last 10 minutes of the film not only bring it all home and exposes everything. Revealing secrets we didn’t know and all of a sudden have a kind of psycho sexual element introduced. For instance we learn The clueless mother who see’s everything but Acts like she doesn’t know anything and does drugs to block it out. So that we understand her addiction issues more.
This film has one of the more original devastating endings of an American film in the 1980’s that truly lives up to the punk spirit the lead character chases so hard. This is worth watching to make it to the more shocking third act. But needs the first two acts to build and understand everything and you can be amazed how it all Comes together. Like a puzzle you never know that it was one. As it’s pieces itself together and supports itself.
According to Roger Ebert When this film first premiered at cannes there was a bunch of buzz about this film and actress Linda Manz being a front runner for Best Actress but But back in North America, the film's Canadian backers had difficulties in making a distribution deal, and the film slipped through the cracks.
You keep expecting like the lead character for some happiness, good times or a break from somebody. The nicest person to her in the film is a random punk rock drummer who protects her in a fight and lets her help him drum during a song in a performance. Also a bar bouncer who know her and throws her out of a bar and her court ordered psychiatrist tries to get through to her but she never tells him anything.
She uses the CB radio in the wreck of her father’s truck to reach out and talk to anyone who will answer as that is the only place she really feels safe and comfortable that no one really knows about me.
This film comes off as a flawed beauty. Absent of ideals or compassion. As this is to me truly Dennis hopper’s masterpiece. My favorite film that he has made a so have always felt EASY RIDER was overrated
GRADE: A-
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