SLC Punk (1999)

Slow pace in the most part of the movie.

Excellent adaptation.

It's complicated... I really like the directing, acting and writing but, there are issues with the way it's shot that I just can't deny. As much as I love the storytelling and the fantastic performance but, there are also certain scenes that didn't need to exist.

The film never slows down or bores, plunging from one harrowing sequence to the next.

what an unexpected & moving surprise. I mean its not even gold, its just kinda diamond. Haven't come across such screenplay & portrayal of the real punk life. closest as it gets. awesome performances by the cast. Matt z good, but have a look at the supporting actor line up and Man ! Did they deliver !!!definitely one of the most underrated movies ever.absolute fresh breeze , must watch ... don't watch till u get a plan to watch it the best way.. I mean ... good display screen , good speakers, snacks, drinks, beer, girlfriend and the most significant of all .... your gang ... :)great time guaranteed !!

My supervisor all-but forced me to watch this "punked" out movie. He even gave me a lesson in "Punk Groups" in which I asked him to name some, well, more main stream punk bands to get a feel for his type of music. Well, it turns out, not only his taste in music (or the groups he mentioned,) such as Green Day and The Offspring, happen to be in my top bands of all time, so does his taste in movies.I wouldn't go as far as I would say I loved SLC Punk…but damn, it was really, really good.The movie was a complete surprise to me, refreshing, original and a great kick-start (that unfortunately, never happened) to Matthew Lillard being a front-runner/lead star. The movie had humor, heart, tension (man, you never know when one of the punks/posers were going to burst out into insane violence) and awesome dialogue, including some wonderful talk-to-the-screen dialogue.It's self-described punk and obvious rebel, Stevo (Lillard) and best mate "heroin" Bob (Goorjian) against the world and their dysfunctional families during the last summer of their so-called "freedom." What makes this movie rise above a typical comedy about out-of-control teens, is Stevo's consistent need for answers to his "why, why, why" questions on where he fits in the universe, or the dump SLC (or Salt Lake City) he lives in, and if anarchy is the key. He mixes true rebellion, comedy, deep thoughts and actual maturity through his antics. That, my peers, is really hard for any written character or live actor to do. Lillard did it brilliantly. He made us root for him, despite his flaws, insecurities, revolts and violence.I remember being almost (I said ALMOST) the same age as these kids during the time this was set. This took place in 1985, while I didn't start high school until 1988, and that's where the majority of his "groups" emerged, such as nerds, punks, Goths, posers, etc. They were all present in my school. True, I did try to "fit in" to one of the many groups, obviously doing my own self-discovery and probably coming out more of a poser than any particular group. Let me clarify: that was my Freshman year in high school.Something changed when I returned for my Sophomore year. And I have remained the same since: I simply did NOT care anymore. I saw too many people attempting to join this group, hang out with those punks, dress in all black, etc, etc. Something clicked in me that this was all a waste of time, and I needed to be me and to hell with the rest. Needless to say, I was very unpopular with a great majority of my stuck up fellow students. I did NOT care. So be it, as Hard Harry would say.This led me to appreciate a film like this. Like them, I saw people come/go, try to fit in, move on. This was all real life, even though I wasn't one of the punks. (Honestly, I resembled Mike (the enormously hilarious Segel) the most, without the violence, that is.) Sure, the movie can be depressing (and enormously violent) at times, but at very least the writer/director Merendino apparently never asked you to look too deep. As soon as it went that direction, he would pull the rug with either humor or the growth of Stevo.So thanks to my supervisor for the recommendation – despite you being part of "THE MAN" or "system," you can come up with my highly recommended movies.Side Note: No spoiler – but someone dies in the movie. It's meant as a heart-breaking scene, and it is, somewhat. But…damn, her/his throat pulses up and down (despite the white/powered face, indicating overdose) and faster than someone on coke, the caffeine kind, that is. (Although…) They did add some special effects to this movie, such as to the Donner Family scenes, so why not do something with that incredibly obvious flaw. Try and get past that, and I see very, if at all, few flaws with the rest of the brilliant movie.

By watching the movie,what I don't do often,I found myself...I realized that it's not all about school,than job,and useless death...The good thing is that the Nazi scum was shoved in a bad light!I looked the film at least ten times,and every time I was full so emotions (I don't like emotions but hate and anger in often)..I cried like a baby at the end,as much HC as I am...strong and pretty true movie.. x\ (S L C P u n k ! ! !) I would like to find more movies like this...and I was disappointed when I researched about actors in the movie..BOB IS Jesus!!!I was telling everyone to see this film,even bought it to them as gifts and all...and,yes,I'm from Bosnia,and here are punks to!!! :)

Sure the film is marginally entertaining but if you were into punk rock music before seeing it and are familiar at all with the culture of punks in general, then you really will feel this movie is more like a stupid hipster version of punk culture than a good comedy/drama depicting it.If you want a strong account of punk from the 80s, then watch a movie from the 80s like 'Suburbia.' This is more like a Mathew Lillard vehicle which allows him to make a bunch of smug remarks and observations. And where the movie could fly as a hilarious punk satire (because punks DO take themselves to seriously as this damn movie proves) instead becomes phony punk 101 for a bunch of 90s hipsters.The only redeeming factors are a few funny moments and some good songs in the soundtrack. Like any outsider looking in, the subject is completely generalized. If you want to see a marginally entertaining movie that becomes overly sincere and melodramatic about halfway through, fine, see it. Otherwise just read 'Please Kill Me' or 'American Hardcore' or see the MULTITUDES of punk films. They are WAY better!