One of the popular films of the 1980s was "The Big Chill" that depicts a reunion of college chums. There was a star-studded cast in a heartfelt reconnection of past friends who have been changed by life and the passage of time.
By contrast, "10 Years Later" focuses on a set of high school friends who have gathered for their ten-year high school reunion. Unlike "The Big Chill," there is an amateur feel to the film with a set of little-known actors bringing a lot of energy to the experience.
Unfortunately, the film never never developed a rhythm, as the style alternated between dark comedy, sophomoric humor, and unpleasant scenes. The attempt was apparently to portray a group of lovable losers. But all too frequently, the characters simply came across as losers.
The most troubling subplot that never really worked was the story of the cop, who is beaten, held hostage, and nearly killed by the alumni. The cop was not likable, yet the violence seemed excessive, especially the gruesome near drowning.
By the end of the film, the story of the cop had become a major distraction from the bonding of the characters that should have been the main focus of their reunion. The only significant bonding that does occur results in a conspiracy of silence about an ugly day in the lives of the alumni.
It was sad to watch a film in which the lives of young people had deteriorated so much in a ten-year period that they were filled with self-loathing, no ambition, and a lack of direction in their lives. One can only imagine what they will be like at their twenty-year reunion.
By contrast, "10 Years Later" focuses on a set of high school friends who have gathered for their ten-year high school reunion. Unlike "The Big Chill," there is an amateur feel to the film with a set of little-known actors bringing a lot of energy to the experience.
Unfortunately, the film never never developed a rhythm, as the style alternated between dark comedy, sophomoric humor, and unpleasant scenes. The attempt was apparently to portray a group of lovable losers. But all too frequently, the characters simply came across as losers.
The most troubling subplot that never really worked was the story of the cop, who is beaten, held hostage, and nearly killed by the alumni. The cop was not likable, yet the violence seemed excessive, especially the gruesome near drowning.
By the end of the film, the story of the cop had become a major distraction from the bonding of the characters that should have been the main focus of their reunion. The only significant bonding that does occur results in a conspiracy of silence about an ugly day in the lives of the alumni.
It was sad to watch a film in which the lives of young people had deteriorated so much in a ten-year period that they were filled with self-loathing, no ambition, and a lack of direction in their lives. One can only imagine what they will be like at their twenty-year reunion.
