Kids (1995)

Beautiful, moving film.

The film creates a perfect balance between action and depth of basic needs, in the midst of an infertile atmosphere.

The movie is wonderful and true, an act of love in all its contradictions and complexity

It's easily one of the freshest, sharpest and most enjoyable films of this year.

I can see how people might think of this movie as disturbing, but I don't think it has that intention. I think what it wants at it's core is giving these unseen, unwanted, uncared for kids recognition for what is their reality. Though at times the movie may feel a little unreal. There's little to no reality checking, in a sense that you'd expect the movie to show the dark, maybe even traumatic effect of the events in the story. There's no aftermath, there's no tomorrow, but that's also just how these kids live. New York in the summer is a bright, colorful and romantic place, which adds to the movie's ever present state of intoxication and constant partying, an atmosphere fueled by drugs and alcohol. And while there's bad stuff going on, which as an adult might make you feel worried for these kids, the movie tries to let that fuzzy, nostalgic, playful feeling of careless youth (by stimulation) stay with you.There's a lot of sad and depressing stuff in this movie, but there's no rush to focus on that and milk it. Sporadically, you get a glimpse of what might come tomorrow, what would happen if summer's over and winter's there, like the feeling of an upcoming panic attack, which is instantly blocked out again, because you don't wanna focus on the consequences, you want to live in the now.

An excellent account on youth. Maybe it's the extreme end of youth, with sex and drugs, but an accurate account of those types. This film isn't trying to label all kids like these ones but label kids like these ones as kids like these ones, no sugar coating it. It's disturbing, it's full on and it's as raw as possible without making it a snuff children's film. Truly an excellent piece by Larry Clarke, finally someone who is not afraid to do what he wants and does what he pleases. Gritty and raw, there is no escaping the grasp of Kids. A not-so-thoughtful nod to the children of the world, but a realistic one of the hoodlums of society.

I just finished watching this and it was an uncomfortable experience. I understand the director wanted to be realistic but to me that was just an excuse to get away with child exploitation, There was no need to show the amount of girls bodies that was shown. As usual, it's all for the pleasure of the male: tits, two girls kissing, rape. In the swimming pool scene where the black kid is shaking his dick they don't show it, you hear the sound and you see their friends laughing, but when it comes to girls you see their nipples and their butts. It bothers me a lot how directors get away with inappropriate things in the name of art, like it somehow justifies whatever they do. There is no story, no point to prove apart from the fact that the blonde girl gets HIV after having one sexual encounter without protection. You see her crying and being miserable but nobody does anything to help her or tells her what to do, not even the people who tested her. It's a really upsetting movie to watch and I bet that was the director's intention, to disturb and provoke people. Well he did it but that doesn't change the fact that, to me, he's a perverted.

I had not heard of this film until my room mate informed me of the work of Harmony Korine and the unconventional aesthetics contained within his work. After hearing about the concept of this film and the nature revolved around it, I decided to sit down and watch it. Conveniently, "Youtube" has the entire unedited film in its entirety for free to view. On first note, I must identify the superb acting of Justin Pierce as Casper and may his tragic suicide in 2000 be noted and perhaps this role had a daunting effect on him. Kids today are curious, and this film exploits the innocence of adolescence to a the underground world of drugs and unprotected sex. This highly critical portrait of 90s youth is a phenomenal commentary on the ignorance of adult society as parents need to be aware of what their children are up to. This film presents a message through a highly disturbing and engaging 90 minutes of drugs and teenage fornication. For a shaky independent film, "Kids" will leave a lasting feeling on those who view it and hopefully will provide a critical point of view to parents who let their children out past midnight. I recommend this film to everyone as it shows us the life of uneducated and rebellious children who don't know anything about reality. Phenomenal work of art and excellent criticism on the dark side of youth. PARENTS MUST WATCH THIS FILM.