An early film for both James Spader and Robert Downey Jr., this "teen angst" drama is nothing new, but does a good job in creating an enjoyable film that while overloaded with cliches is well done. Spader's a troubled teen wjo has gone from school to school and not fit in, breaking the rules and always in trouble. Perfect candidate for a gang, but they don't want him in at his newest school even though he stands up to the security guard within their view. Gang leader Paul Mones can tell that his girlfriend Kim Richards likes Spader, and his jealous and violent temper results in Spader getting attacked several times.
Downey's the only kid in school who looks out for Spader, at one point fooling Spader chasing him down an alley and making Spader thinking that it's Mones. Richards and Spader end up in a country club with Downey and his girlfriend where they turn things up a notch before being kicked out. Later, Richards infiltrates her way into dancing at a rock club (even though they're obviously all underage) which has a funny moment with an extra. When Mones basically forces Richards to become engaged to him, you know that this is going to lead into a violent ending.
Los Angeles locations movie audiences have seen thousands of times are nicely utilized, but the film is often shockingly violent. Mones gives a frightening performance, quite convincing, but his character is overloaded with stereotypes as is his gang. These are the worst kinds of rebels without causes, animals running the streets. Spader is quite good, his character well rounded. Bill Beyers, then one of the stars of the TV soap "Capitol", is a nice contrast as Spader's all too perfect older brother, and Claudette Nevins and Matt Clark are fine as their parents. I could have easily rated this as just okay, but I found it really gripping in spite of the cliches and being somewhat depressing.
Downey's the only kid in school who looks out for Spader, at one point fooling Spader chasing him down an alley and making Spader thinking that it's Mones. Richards and Spader end up in a country club with Downey and his girlfriend where they turn things up a notch before being kicked out. Later, Richards infiltrates her way into dancing at a rock club (even though they're obviously all underage) which has a funny moment with an extra. When Mones basically forces Richards to become engaged to him, you know that this is going to lead into a violent ending.
Los Angeles locations movie audiences have seen thousands of times are nicely utilized, but the film is often shockingly violent. Mones gives a frightening performance, quite convincing, but his character is overloaded with stereotypes as is his gang. These are the worst kinds of rebels without causes, animals running the streets. Spader is quite good, his character well rounded. Bill Beyers, then one of the stars of the TV soap "Capitol", is a nice contrast as Spader's all too perfect older brother, and Claudette Nevins and Matt Clark are fine as their parents. I could have easily rated this as just okay, but I found it really gripping in spite of the cliches and being somewhat depressing.