Delinquent (1995) User Reviews

Not too bad for something unexpected

[buffalo94 · 7/10 · 30 December 2003]

Not the usual `teen movie', but also not the usual `Unusual teen movie'. The story is quite `trivial', a thoughtful teenager with a loved mother away and a father-policeman badtreater and rude who makes his son's life harder. There is also an attractive teacher, a girl, a friend and a lonely house. Things happen.

O.K., we know what kind of film it is, but from that point, we can find a very `easy to watch' film. There is no problem ,it is quite correct and pleasant, all the places are beautiful (New York State, not the city) , and it has the special `air' of these kinds of films (for TV, very odd).

Furthermore, it has a beautiful song and the characters are intimate. If you find this movie by chance (there is no other way), you can fill some dead time decently. Better than many.

Astoundingly Ludicrous

[tonyhic · 4/10 · 14 November 2003]

Did he say something about an underwear fetish? A few minutes later I realise the boy's underwear fetish is central to the film's plot. The overstated arrogance of the kid's father is perhaps bearable, but once the promiscuous ex-teacher appears by chance, my jaw drops. The ideas could make a great John Waters film, but this is played straight, with stunningly wooden acting worthy of any porno. One of the most perplexing movies I've seen.

Little known gem!

[Johnny_Guitar · 8/10 · 11 December 2011]

Just caught up with this film after 'meeting' director/writer/producer Peter Christian Hall online through mutual friends. Peter is best known as a freelance writer based in New York who has written articles for the likes of Rolling Stone, the Village Voice and the New York Times, but here he shows a visual eye as well. The story features 15-year-old Tim whose mother killed herself and left her body for him to find, and whose father is a policeman in small-town New York where they have recently moved. Tim's father is also abusive and part of Tim's way of coping is through a fantasy life. Soon fantasy and reality merge, as Tim tries to deal with his situation. But it's not your typical coming-of-age movie. The story is told through interesting shots, dreams and fantasy sequences. And the direction is in very capable hands, especially for a first-time director who shows he knows a little something about making a film. The acting is more than adequate for a film shot on such a limited budget. And to top it all off, after meeting and interviewing Gang of Four for a publication, they watched the film and liked it enough to write the music, which perfectly fits the mood of the film. So bottom line, if you appreciate interesting, well-made independent Cinema, do yourself a favor and check this out. You won't regret it.

One of the best endings ever!

[c_macia · 10/10 · 14 June 2007]

I saw this movie long ago and I've been looking for it forever. It's not the best film, but it has something that makes it appealing, different. Tim deals with his terrible life, fantasizing he's a hero, and saves the day. Nothing new, so far. But the way the story is told and the simple, yet full of details, performance of the actors (i.e. the main character) makes it angrily haunting. I enjoy the way the "fantasy" part is integrated with the "real part" as if we were always witnessing the kid's mind. It's hard to tell whether it's really happening or he's daydreaming again... until something off-the wall happens. I think beyond the "moral" of the story, the plot is "realistic" enough to be considered for a "debate" class. The ending (no spoiler) is one of the most honest I've seen in a long time. After watching it I was "shocked" for a while.

A little known gem

[giammarcor · 9/10 · 8 February 2019]

This is one of those movies that makes you initially think it's just another low budget, 90's horror/thriller. But, the more you watch it, the more you get pulled into the surreal, hyper pubescent world of a 15 year old boy brain. Having been one of those 15 year old boys, albeit many years ago, I could empathize with the main character's lonely but inquisitive existence. Granted, my father was not nearly as heinous as his, but there were certainly times when I found myself totally intolerant to eveything he said. The fantasies and dreams were remarkably similar to what would have been racing through a 15 year old's subconcious.

Before long, I found myself forgetting about the low budget production and amateurish acting and began believing the characters and truly engrossed in the story.

Kudos to Peter Hall for a well written plot that had me completely smiling at the end. This was no fantasy, this was truly something that could happen.

Oh, and did I mention the musical score, courtesy of Gang of Four? Every last nerve in my body was tingling to the screeching guitar and melancholy riffs. If you dont love this movie, you must be a snob. This is a workman like, blue collar movie that you wont soon forget.