In 1988, a teenage girl (Shailene Woodley)'s life is thrown into chaos when her mother (Eva Green) disappears.
Although I am not familiar with Shailene Woodley's career (impressive as it may be), I have followed Gregg Araki since the mid-1990s and have enjoyed almost everything he has done. This film is a bit of a departure, but also a bit of a return. While not as nihilistic as his 90s films, there are themes here that are reminiscent of that era. Much more so than his film "Happy", which seemed completely outside his realm (though still good).
Most notable is the soundtrack. Araki really "gets" the club scene of the 80s and 90s, with its metal and goth feel. Clubs that catered to underage kids, and exposed them to alternate lifestyles... while blasting everything from Ministry to Echo and the Bunnymen.
Pop Insomniacs said, "We've seen versions of this story several times, but never quite mangled together like this before, which is precisely why I was so captivated, uncomfortable and surprised by this movie." Reviews in general tend to be negative, with some dismissing it as a little more than the typical suburban malaise that has been done again and again. But there is something more.
Although I am not familiar with Shailene Woodley's career (impressive as it may be), I have followed Gregg Araki since the mid-1990s and have enjoyed almost everything he has done. This film is a bit of a departure, but also a bit of a return. While not as nihilistic as his 90s films, there are themes here that are reminiscent of that era. Much more so than his film "Happy", which seemed completely outside his realm (though still good).
Most notable is the soundtrack. Araki really "gets" the club scene of the 80s and 90s, with its metal and goth feel. Clubs that catered to underage kids, and exposed them to alternate lifestyles... while blasting everything from Ministry to Echo and the Bunnymen.
Pop Insomniacs said, "We've seen versions of this story several times, but never quite mangled together like this before, which is precisely why I was so captivated, uncomfortable and surprised by this movie." Reviews in general tend to be negative, with some dismissing it as a little more than the typical suburban malaise that has been done again and again. But there is something more.