Review of Suburbia (1984) by Michelle C — 25 Apr 2015

I remember the first time I'd ever seen SubUrbia, it was late one night on HBO. After seeing it I felt I had to watch again as soon as possible. So I went to my local video store to rent it, only problem is I found out this movie isn't on dvd, and it's still not on dvd. In disgust I just went home said oh well. That next weekend I turned to HBO again just to see what was on and behold, they were playing this movie again. This time I fully connected with characters unlike the first time around. I also remember first veiwing of this movie and I was highly displeased with ending, but with second viewing the ending made so much more sense.

SubUrbia deals with a group of friends in their early 20's. The main character is Jeff played by Giovanni Ribisi, if your a fan of Ribisi at all and you haven't seen this your missing out on his greatest performance. Jeff to me is the character I relate to most on screen, we share alot of the same thoughts and ideas. He is a very brilliant guy but at the same time he very flawed. He makes mistakes but understands that's what life is about, only learning from them can be different for certain individuals. Jeff is likeable and honest, but is unsure about his future and is at odds with society. He doesn't like how most people think or how they blindly live their sometimes meaningless lives. There's not enough people that think outside the box, thats one thing me and Jeff highly agree on. He is a very complexed character but that's what makes him the most interesting to me.

This movie always gives a feeling that I'm watching real life as it's lived. Suburbia isn't always a happy story, it has it's funny moments but overall it's what life can throw at you, which isn't always fun. It's real people in real situations, or thats the way I see it. I've heard some people have been deeply affected by this film, I'm one of these people. The movie has gotten alot of mixed reviews over the years but I think thats because the power of this film can't be experience in one setting. This film more powerful with more viewings. I'm glad that people are know realizing that. I'm still waiting for the day that this is released on dvd, it's easily one of the top ten films I've seen in my lifetime. Not very many films capture what's displayed here, an everlasting impression of what youth in america is like today and wanting it all but not always knowing how to get there. Some of the message here might get lost, that's why you have see it more than once. Reality isn't always clear the first time you experience something.