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 did show up.
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 of the rebellious, sexually active teenage world without holding back
anything, and it's 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 it 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.