On K List of Movie Reviews
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Kids (1995)
Rate:
10
Viewed:
9/04, 10/08, 7/15
10/08:
Has it been so long since Kids was made?
The first time I saw the film, it was shocking, edgy, raw, and real. Gradually, after seeing it for the third
or fourth time, the novelty has worn off. Sometimes, it seems Kids was meant to glorify sex, drugs, and
alcohol among rebellious teenagers although there's a profound message at the end. However, I still don't think
it's effective enough to make a point, so it's hard to recommend the film unless you're looking for shock value.
There isn't a single likeable character or anybody to feel sorry for. All deserved what they got coming to them.
Regardless, the performances are outstanding and very authentic. My favorite is Leo Fitzpatrick who's brilliant
as the odious Telly.
Meanwhile, I would like to look back on how juvenile delinquent films had progressed over time. There was
Rebel Without a Cause and
Les quatre cents coups in the 50's that were more of products of
an innocent time. Then, there was Blackboard Jungle which made
juvenile delinquents look more hardened.
During the 70's, the shock value was ramped up in A Clockwork Orange
for all the wrong reasons. It was hard to forget the too-close-to-the-truth documentary:
Scared Straight! Then came a film in 1986 called
River's Edge which was so shocking and disturbing that it did happen for
real. One could almost make a case for Class of 1984 which foretold
accurately what urban schools would look like. Finally, it was Kids, pushing the envelope so far that
there had never been anything else like it although Boyz n the Hood was
effective.
Having mentioned all these films, in order to make a mark in the juvenile delinquency genre, it has to top
everything in terms of grittiness, shock value, and brutal naked truth. When the achievement has been made,
the film can be assured of a lasting impact for years to come.
All in all, Kids gives a stark insight into the rebellious, sexually active teenage world without holding
back anything, and it's all brilliantly done.
7/15:
The first time I saw Kids in 1995, I came away highly impressed.
It wasn't the AIDS angle that did it but how the whole thing looked. I thought the film was real and the kids
were actually doing it. This was made possible by hiring unknown, nonprofessional child actors because Larry
Clark opted for the Italian neorealism route. Fast forward twenty years later, my perception hasn't changed.
It's still a relevant picture. Of course, the situation depicted is extreme, but there's a point being made.
My favorite character is Telly, brilliantly played by Leo Fitzpatrick, who's both irresistible and disgusting.
He makes the role work. Casper, who looks all drugged out and is unable to think for himself, sticks close to him
because Telly makes things happen and Casper wants to be in the middle of the action.
I love how the characters come to a full circle, beginning with Telly infecting Jennie with AIDS and ending with
Casper getting the virus by raping her. Actually, it's not explicitly clear whether or not she has AIDS because
being tested positive for HIV isn't the same as being tested positive for AIDS. The ending is poignant when
Casper said, "Jesus Christ, what happened?" which sums up Kids the best. And to answer that, I don't
think it'll be hard to explain.
All in all, Kids is a rare gem because it's a honest film about the ephemeral payoff of sex.