Review of Down & Out With The Dolls (2002) by Lee M — 26 Jan 2005

Happy Australia Day everyone!

I know, I know, for you that means not a whole helluva lot.

But for us it's a nice day off. And a few other things - the Crocodile Hunter marathon on Animal Planet (yes, he's a boofhead on screen, but he plows nearly every cent he makes into conservation - habitat protection, captive breeding, etc. - so I have a fair bit of respect for him), cricket (NZ vs. the World XI in a Tsunami relief benefit and Aus vs the Windies in the triangular series), and usually, the end to the hottest weather of the year around here. Brisbane is pretty much perfect for 10 months of the year, starting right about now. And since this is the Aussie equivalent of the 4th of July, it gives us a chance to reflect on becoming Australian citizens last year (dual citizenship is cool!) and the fact that we absolutely love living here.

And for me, this year at least it also means that I got to watch a movie that made me feel really nostalgic. Down and Out with the Dolls is not a good film by any kind of objective standard. The camera work is shaky, and the script is so-so, as is the acting. And yet, I really liked it. It pretty much perfectly captures the DIY ethic of the Pacific Northwest punk rock scene. It is energetic, the performers are all charismatic, the music is gritty and very good, the soundtrack is great, and Portland looks great in the film.

And since Portland is where I was when I started going to shows, buying records and listening to punk, the whole thing really resonated with me. If you like punk (especially NW punk) this movie is essential viewing. If you don't, you probably oughta give it a miss. Oh and if you're a Motorhead fan, Lemmy is in this, and he's hyterical...

As for me, I'm back upstairs to see the end of the cricket.