Watch SLC Punk!
- R
- 1998
- 1 hr 37 min
-
7.4 (33,598)
SLC Punk! is a coming-of-age comedy-drama film that was released in 1998. The movie is set in Salt Lake City, Utah in the mid-1980s and revolves around the lives of two young punks named Stevo and Bob. Stevo (Matthew Lillard) is an intelligent and sarcastic punk who is deeply passionate about his anarchist ideology. His best friend Bob (Michael A. Goorjian), on the other hand, is a more laid-back guy who is content to exist in the moment.
The film begins with Stevo breaking the fourth wall and addressing the audience directly. He introduces himself and Bob and explains that they are punks living in Salt Lake City. Stevo then leads the viewer through a series of flashbacks that detail the events and people that have shaped his life.
One of the movie's primary themes is the clash between punk rock culture and mainstream society. Stevo and Bob are outsiders who reject the values and conventions of traditional American society. They proudly wear spiky hairdos and leather jackets, listen to punk rock music, and attend wild parties. However, despite their loud and confrontational personalities, they are still teenagers who are trying to understand their place in the world.
Along the way, Stevo meets a girl named Brandy (Annabeth Gish) who is a fellow punk. At first, Stevo and Brandy clash due to their ideological differences, but eventually, they begin to fall for one another. Their relationship is complicated by the fact that Brandy wants to leave Salt Lake City and pursue a career in the music industry, while Stevo is committed to staying in the city and fighting against the system.
As the film progresses, both Stevo and Bob begin to question their punk rock ideals. Stevo is confronted with the reality that anarchism might not be the best solution for the problems facing society. Meanwhile, Bob becomes increasingly disillusioned with Stevo's confrontational approach and begins to question whether violence is necessary in the fight against conformity.
The movie's climax occurs during a massive punk rock concert where Stevo and Bob come face to face with the consequences of their actions. The concert is disrupted by a group of neo-Nazi skinheads who attempt to start a fight with the punks. The punks respond with violence, resulting in a chaotic and bloody conflict.
SLC Punk! is a humorous and poignant examination of youth culture and rebellion. The film's characters are well-drawn and three-dimensional, with Matthew Lillard giving a standout performance as the quick-witted and charismatic Stevo. The movie also features a great punk rock soundtrack, including songs by The Ramones, The Sex Pistols, and Dead Kennedys.
Overall, SLC Punk! is a must-see movie for fans of punk rock and anyone interested in youth culture and rebellion. The film offers a unique and compelling look at the lives of teenage outsiders and the ideologies that inspire them. It is a funny, thought-provoking, and ultimately heartwarming movie that delivers on all fronts.
SLC Punk! is a 1998 comedy with a runtime of 1 hour and 37 minutes. It has received mostly poor reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 7.4 and a MetaScore of 50.