Undoubtedly, Penelope Spheeris has captured some of the most raw and authentic L. A. punk scenes ever filmed. My problem is pretty much everything that takes place outside the club: the character development, the story, the writing, the acting, like all of it.
'Suburbia' is basically a series of punk performances, by some of L. A.'s great acts, like The Germs, TSOL, The Vandals, strung together by a loose story of a group of young punks who all left their homes to live in a derelict house.
Admirably, Spheeris uses street casted talent and real punk musicians, like a young Flea, to play the various roles. Unfortunately, none of them are very good. The characters are characterless, almost interchangeable. The dramas are fairly predictable, with lots of fights, theft, drugs and general mayhem.
I also found it somewhat frustrating trying to figure out the intent of 'Suburbia'. Is it meant to be a cynical nihilistic B camp film along the lines of 'Toxic Avenger', a rebellious comedy like 'Animal House', or a poignant drama like 'Trainspotting'?
It does some similarities with 'Trainspotting', the energetic music and celebration of mindless mayhem, the tragedy that comes out of youthful idiocy, but unfortunately without the great writing, acting and character growth. The moments that could have been poignant and shed light on the human condition seem to just be thrown away as we move on to the next scene of our madcap gang gleefully running through the streets.
All in all, my recommendation is to skip the whatever and cut straight to the music scenes. Then go watch 'Trainspotting'.
'Suburbia' is basically a series of punk performances, by some of L. A.'s great acts, like The Germs, TSOL, The Vandals, strung together by a loose story of a group of young punks who all left their homes to live in a derelict house.
Admirably, Spheeris uses street casted talent and real punk musicians, like a young Flea, to play the various roles. Unfortunately, none of them are very good. The characters are characterless, almost interchangeable. The dramas are fairly predictable, with lots of fights, theft, drugs and general mayhem.
I also found it somewhat frustrating trying to figure out the intent of 'Suburbia'. Is it meant to be a cynical nihilistic B camp film along the lines of 'Toxic Avenger', a rebellious comedy like 'Animal House', or a poignant drama like 'Trainspotting'?
It does some similarities with 'Trainspotting', the energetic music and celebration of mindless mayhem, the tragedy that comes out of youthful idiocy, but unfortunately without the great writing, acting and character growth. The moments that could have been poignant and shed light on the human condition seem to just be thrown away as we move on to the next scene of our madcap gang gleefully running through the streets.
All in all, my recommendation is to skip the whatever and cut straight to the music scenes. Then go watch 'Trainspotting'.