Cast: James Duval, Roko Belil, Susan Behshid, Jenee Gill, Gilbert Luna, Lance May, Alan Boyce, Craig Gilmore, Johanna West
Life really sucks for a group of gay and lesbian teenagers living in Los Angeles. Their parents kicked them out, they’re broke and bored, their lovers cheat on them, they’re harassed by gay-bashers. If things are going to be this way, maybe suicide isn’t a bad idea; at least not in the mind of Andy, our major protagonist, who gives the film its title by describing himself as “totally fucked up.
This film plays out more experimental than his last film. This film more examines days in the life of a group of friends. We get to see their videotaped confessions and each seeks to show their own little stories that overlap. So they end up all having their adventures.
That watching the film feels ahead of its time as it comes off a little like the reality show, THE REAL WORLD but also what social media would become eventually.
As from the first frame of a new clipping about teenage suicide in the gay community. We know what the film will be tackling not that it will eventually be prophetic
If the audience does as we watch we try to figure out who will either try or allow themselves to do that.
The film at the time was one of the most penetrating looks at LGBTQ youth that includes sex reckless and romantic and facing consequences for being themselves such as parents throwing them out, infidelity, random violence, looking for love in all the wrong places and people.
It sets a blueprint for later teenage dramas that were diverse and more hard-hitting in the new Millenium
This film was actually not as bleak as his previous film. At least not until the ending where we get a dark ending but also feelings. Which the film Seems to lack. As like the teen’s characters. They play up a certain persona but each is vulnerable that they hide from each other.
The film stays upbeat and energetic throughout and then comes a heaven ending. Whereas THE LIVING END seems so hell-bent on nihilism until the end where it offers actually hope.
This film still has an avant-garde presentation and punk rock attitude and Sensibility. As well as the soundtrack, but surpassingly by the end it also feels like a hardcore after-school special.
The more artistic expression throughout the film. Can be hard to take, even as it breaks up and focuses on characters. Some in the audience might want more story or action throughout. If that is what you seek you came to the wrong movie.
Watching this now through a modern lens. This film is ahead of its time but could have only been made when it was. As it is penetrating and a nice time capsule of the times. Style and politics and just day-to-day life.
This would also be the first of many collaborations between director Greg Araki and actor/star James Duval
Written, Edited & Directed By: Greg Araki Cinematography: Arturo Smith
Production Design: Patti Podesta
Cast: James Duval, Rachel True, Christina Applegate, Nathan Bexton, Guillermo Diaz, Jeremy Jordan, Kathleen Robertson, Jordan Ladd, Ryan Philippe, Heather Graham, Charlotte Rae, Chiara Mastroianni, Debi Mazar, Joshua Gibran Mayweather, Mena Suvari, Sarah Lassez, Alan Boyce, Jason Simmons, Beverley D’Angelo, Denise Richards, Teresa Hill, Traci Lords, David Leisure, Eve Plumb, John Ritter, Shannen Doherty, Rose McGowan, Christopher Knight, Stacy Kennan, Devon Odessa, Stephane Sednaoui, Gibby Haynes,
In it’s own way this film is like a nihilistic beach party movie. Way removed from Frankie Avalon and Annette Funicello.
This film is a kind of spoof teen movie like SCREAM making fun of teens and teen movies. While being one but being modern and way over the top. Showcasing what teen moves at the time shows away from showing Drugs, Sex, Suicide, eating disorders, homosexuality, date rape, murder, alien invasions and face it all a rough edge.
The film has cameos and appearances galore which makes it feels like a Robert Altman cast with spot the guest star of musicians and actors who were recognizable at the Time. As well as established actors from television. Where some seem here more to challenge their image and be a bit rebellious
This is a low budget odyssey meant to be surreal with great art direction. The film certainly has a diverse cast where an African American character is the most popular and sought after female in the film. And a Great alternative 90’s soundtrack.
It’s an ensemble so the story and film Is supposed to feel unfocused at times. At heart this film wants to be a comedy. Yet hits in serious issues but at other times ends them in more silly ways.
Though the couples are sexually fluid throughout this is the closest at the time Of director Greg Araki making more heterosexual cinema. As before this most of his film had been considered queer cinema. Though this film has a few same sex pairings.
This is kind of a preview of what his future film KABOOM and Television series NOW APOCALYPSE would be like only more structured. Kind of wish it had more of this films madness and world. Love or hate the films of Greg araki they are never boring.
This is a dark decadent comedy that allows sitcom stars to play against type with different stories going on while an alien invasion is taking place. Letting the stars play more dirty and against type.
This is certainly a film to experience and while more a cult classic that at times tries to find art and beauty in trash. Yet always aspiring to be trash. In more a sharp and stylish way then a John Waters way.
The actual leads of the film are mroe the lesser known names in the cast.
This film seems more like an examination, dedication and showcase of the culture at the time, more California based. Where as it seems full of good looking people, fashion and fads, but they are usually doing the worst or bad things and we get to know some more then just face value. To see what lies inside them and what they cause. As sometimes even the most pretty beauty is all they have to offer. Nothing else really.
The film ends nihilistic like most of Araki’s films here we are all lost or doomed in this unpredictable universe and no matter what all we try and search for is to not be lonely and have that person to go through the best and worst with.
This plays like a demented , warped satire of BEVERY HILLS 90210 and teen movies and culture of the 90’s. The film takes place over one day in california. It follows a group of teen friends and their misadventures. No real solid plot as much of the movie just seems to happen, not much seems actually planned.
Though it’s a teen movie it definitely is not for kids. It tackles all the usual subjects. Drugs (tons of them) Infidelity, Date Rape, Suicide, Love, First dates, Butit also includes new ones like Zombies, Cross Dressing and Fetishes. The film also takes typical cliched characters and turns your pre-concieved notions of them and turns them on their ear.With characters named Dark, zero, ducky, Lucifer, Dingbat, Kozy, Hand Job, and Egg. you know this is not your typical film.
It’s has a very surreal stlye. The saturated colors in scenes. One character even has the lyrics of a song superimposed on his bedroom walls that surround him at every turn. It tries to be more punk style if film more then anything else.
This is the third part of Greg Araki’s Teenage apocalypse trilogy though his film KABOOM deals with similar subjects. Truth be told this at the time was the first film of greg araki’s that i enjoyed. The film is a nihlistic piece of work as usual fro him in his early work. He calls this his first heterosexual film. As most of his previous work was considered gay cinema.
Even though the film takes place in one day. the characters change clothes numerous times throughout the film.
This film is filled with both tons of cameos giving it a all star cast and filled with at the time many up and coming actors. The film is filled with sex but oddly very little nudity. Though it does contain plenty of graphic shocking violence.
This film feels like a chance for the young stars of the film to distort whatever images they have in film and television. To show they have an edge and sense of humor. It also gives them a chanceto do a indie film. Which was the cool thing to do at the time. The film is almost like a time capsule to 90’s culture.
It is a beautiful film to look at no matter how trashy it tries to be. The art Direction, Camera work are truly admirable, but in the same mindset. The film can make things beautiful, but also stomach turning even the characters.
Just like the film the soundtrack is very vivid itself. Scoring the film with uneasiness and energy.
This film is crazy and definately out there, but i can honestly say i enjoyed it enough to give it a mild recommendation.
Cut To The Chase 