Jeanskynebu the audience applauded

Matialth Good concept, poorly executed.

Listonixio Fresh and Exciting

Anoushka Slater While it doesn't offer any answers, it both thrills and makes you think.

eapplebaum In 1986, my friend who was like a brother to me was suddenly killed at 18 yrs old. It shook up my whole world like I was in a blender and everything changed. in 1988 this film came out. I skipped a class at Hunter College in NYC and went by myself at the 1st showing of the day to a theater near the school on 66th and 2nd ave. There were about 4 people in the whole theater, including me. This film was so incredibly powerful and poignant for me, little did I know. Permanent Record remained a part of me for years, until now even (2014). Back in 1988, I was the surviving friend. The 2 surviving sisters and their parents to the death of my friend remained my 2nd family, to this day. They are Italian, in Italy. I returned home to live my life and mature. Now today. It is 2 weeks out from my own beautiful, incredibly kind, musically gifted, amazing nephew's suicide at just 21 years old. I am not sure if I can watch this film again, but I know I need to keep it close to me for when I might be ready. For those who hated it, please, no disrespect, but it really is a film specifically for those who have experienced immense loss. It's about loss of youth which equals loss of hope. To have never experienced such a monumental life changing event, one would not see past the holes in the story or the acting flaws because the film for them is just that, a film and deserves justified critiques. But for those who need to relate to this film on a more basic level that is merely the topic and it's basic execution, it works, deeply.

dansview I loved this picture,and I am very hard on movies. I like when actors convey genuine emotions without affectation. These ones kept it real, and most have barely been heard of since.Interestingly, adversity brings depth and character to one's high school career. Without it, it's just classes and parties. This group, in addition to being seemingly "working class," experienced the loss of a friend and icon.This dramatic event forced them to ponder some deeper questions of life and death, and to look inward to the meaning of their own lives. When I was in high school, nothing happened, and I don't remember meeting one single person with depth, or even any interest in acquiring depth.All the actors were way past high school age. That's a common phenomenon, but the effect is to make us view high school students as essentially adults. In real life, they look and act younger and dumber than the actors who play them. Some of the girls were 25-27.Nevertheless, I admired the way these kids were engaged in life and school. They have friends, relationships, a school play, hard classes, extra curricular activities, and cars. There are high school kids who are fully engaged like this for sure.I also liked the idea of an accessible Principal or Dean. Those guys are educators, but most of us saw them as annoyances when we were young.The huge failing of this picture was the pathetically weak build-up to the lost friend's suicide. He felt overwhelmed by the pressure to be productive, so he jumps off a cliff? I know that he may have been drinking, but I just don't buy it. Having said that, the movie really wasn't about that. It was about his suicide's effect on those he left behind.I think that it affected the other kids so deeply, not because they knew him well and loved him..although Keanu did, but because he was a teen icon to them. He was a rock, even to those who just admired him from afar, because he represented stability, confidence, capability, success, and opportunity. One character mentions that notion. (If David couldn't make it, what chance do the rest have, who don't have even half his ability and talent?) The film shows the kids in Portland and the beach constantly, as if those two places are close to one another. They are not. So I am assuming that they lived somewhere between Portland and the beach and frequented both places. I liked the exterior shots at the beach and in the city, with a "light rail" system.I couldn't stand the sappy, sentimental song solo at the end. But I suppose that the character was determined to memorialize David (suicide character), by singing his composition, even though it was in the midst of an established classic play. (David had been working on this song for his band to record) I didn't really believe the blonde who had been David's sex partner. I get the idea that a busy guy like him didn't really have time for a relationship, but she looked too worldly and old. If you look her up, you will see that she was some kind of beauty queen in real life, and was pushing 27 in the film.I also did not get the Jennifer Rubin character. If she wasn't David's girlfriend, then who was she? He didn't seem the slightest bit interested in her. I guess she just admired him enormously.I did however love the way one actress portrayed Keanu Reeve's girlfriend. She was quirky and genuinely supportive and involved in people's lives. She tried to be a good girlfriend, despite her boyfriend's eccentricities, she was trying to find herself through writing, and she tried earnestly to memorialize David. Great job by this girl who played a sex role in Valley Girl 5 years earlier.Everyone has already complimented Reeves for his break-down crying scene. I will too. The guy has considerably more talent than most people give him credit for. I like his natural way, although I admit that he repeated it several times in the 80s.Good flick.

dancindawn I was a teen when this movie came out...and actually didn't see it right when it was first released. Admitedly I probably initially watched it because of Keanu Reeves...bu wow, what a gem. The story really had a profound effect on me. Probably because when I watched it I was near the same age of the characters in the flick, and I lost a dear friend to suicide just after high school. Warranted me seeing the movie a few more times. Even to this day I remember this show...I have searched for this movie to rent and watch again, but to no avail! I'm sure that one day it will cross my path again! If not, then it will just remain one of those gems from my teenage years that helped me cope through a difficult time.

Michelle Roberts This film was way ahead of its time. In this day and age, teenage suicides happen often, and appear in the press. This is a movie, set in the 80s, and really has a powerful effect on you. To start with, I was trying to figure out why the main character decided to kill himself. It never really says. But the movie concentrates more on what David's close friends feel on his suicide. The film focuses heavily on Keanu Reeves character, Chris. He features in some of the film's most powerful scenes, and although he plays his Ted character, goofy and gangly, he really acts his socks off. He also features in an almost painful crying scene.There's a terrific song, which unfortunately isn't available. It's worked on throughout the film, but it really comes to light towards the end. It's called "Wishing On Another Lucky Star", performed by J.D. Souther.This is a very powerful movie, although it didn't leave much of an effect on me. I was expecting it to leave me with something at the end of the movie, but this kinda movie has been done better in recent years - The Virgin Suicides for example.