Review of SubUrbia (1997) by Trailesque — 25 Jul 2022

Director Linklater and writer Bogosian do a fine job with the film version of the latter's stage play. I wish he would write some more plays and/or screenplays. This is a robust slice of 1990s suburban disaffection/conflict/despair, focusing on a group of 17-22 year olds who hang around outside a convenience store. There is a little mini-genre of these kinds of stories.

Main character Jeff's life is not going anywhere, and he appears to be on the verge of losing his artist girlfriend, who is planning her escape to New York City. Tim is the dark, tough drunkard of the group, Buff is the clown, and poor Bee-Bee is very depressed. They clash with Nazeer, the serious young Pakistani who manages the store. Things get turned upside down with the arrival (in a limousine) of Pony, who has left hanging out on the corner behind for success as a rock star. Tensions grow and some kind of violence seems imminent. The acting is very good (e.g. check out Zahn's stunts) and the story grows more powerful and interesting as it goes along.