In Penelope Spheeris's "Suburbia", alienated and unwanted teenagers (and twentysomethings) find a new home for themselves: the "T.R. House" by "The 605". T.R. stands for "The Rejected", and Interstate 605 is a freeway located in San Gabriel, California. "Suburbia" is explained in the film, perhaps incorrectly, as a combining of the words "Suburb" and "Utopia". Leader of the T.R.s is Chris Pedersen (as Jack Diddley); he is the one with the super blond surfer 'do. He rounds-up two rejected teenagers as the film opens
BUT, first things first. Director-writer Spheeris begins the film with a "dog attack"; interestingly, the film will feature a group of Wild Dogs, which threaten the inhabitants of "Suburbia". The parallel/symbolism between the T.R.s and the abandoned dogs should be obvious. Then, we seen Bill Coyne (as Evan Mark Johnson) at home, reading a comic book, with the T.V. playing; his mother comes home and berates him for stealing her liquor, and neglecting his chores. Mr. Coyne decides to runaway from home, saying goodbye to little brother Andrew Pece (as Ethan Johnson); after their mother has a drunken automobile smash-up, Mr. Pace will join his big brother at T.R. House.
T.R. leader Pederson finds Coyne after a punk rock concert, "passed out"; his drink spiked, incidentally, by the film's "druggie" Keef (Grant Miner), who is also a member of T.R. They go pick up Wade Walston (as Joe), who lives with his disinterested gay father. Mr. Walston provide the film's "romance" when he hooks up with suicidal Jennifer Clay (as Sheila). Timothy O'Brien (as Skinner) is another important member of T.R. house; he hammers nails in walls, so the inhabitants can hang.
Flea (as Razzle) is the most illustrious member of the T.R.s; also known as Michael Balzary, he is the Red Hot Chili Peppers' bassist. Ironically, this Flea is good for dogs; and, he attempts to tame the wild ones threatening "Suburbia". Flea also demonstrates a fondness for rats; so, perhaps, he was a fan of the 1970s punk band The Stranglers' IV Rattus Norvegicus?
The punk music groups represent the era well; but, the soundtrack could have been improved by more classic punk songs; and, a title song would have been great. The T.R.s should be commended for not watching Wally George "Hot Seat", but they still, however, have awful taste in T.V. shows. Their set should have been traded in for a good stereo. The acting is realistic, and the characters speak Spheeris well; but, the relatively small amount of sex and drugs doesn't ring true. The End is a downer.
BUT, first things first. Director-writer Spheeris begins the film with a "dog attack"; interestingly, the film will feature a group of Wild Dogs, which threaten the inhabitants of "Suburbia". The parallel/symbolism between the T.R.s and the abandoned dogs should be obvious. Then, we seen Bill Coyne (as Evan Mark Johnson) at home, reading a comic book, with the T.V. playing; his mother comes home and berates him for stealing her liquor, and neglecting his chores. Mr. Coyne decides to runaway from home, saying goodbye to little brother Andrew Pece (as Ethan Johnson); after their mother has a drunken automobile smash-up, Mr. Pace will join his big brother at T.R. House.
T.R. leader Pederson finds Coyne after a punk rock concert, "passed out"; his drink spiked, incidentally, by the film's "druggie" Keef (Grant Miner), who is also a member of T.R. They go pick up Wade Walston (as Joe), who lives with his disinterested gay father. Mr. Walston provide the film's "romance" when he hooks up with suicidal Jennifer Clay (as Sheila). Timothy O'Brien (as Skinner) is another important member of T.R. house; he hammers nails in walls, so the inhabitants can hang.
Flea (as Razzle) is the most illustrious member of the T.R.s; also known as Michael Balzary, he is the Red Hot Chili Peppers' bassist. Ironically, this Flea is good for dogs; and, he attempts to tame the wild ones threatening "Suburbia". Flea also demonstrates a fondness for rats; so, perhaps, he was a fan of the 1970s punk band The Stranglers' IV Rattus Norvegicus?
The punk music groups represent the era well; but, the soundtrack could have been improved by more classic punk songs; and, a title song would have been great. The T.R.s should be commended for not watching Wally George "Hot Seat", but they still, however, have awful taste in T.V. shows. Their set should have been traded in for a good stereo. The acting is realistic, and the characters speak Spheeris well; but, the relatively small amount of sex and drugs doesn't ring true. The End is a downer.