BLOWN TO SMITHEREENS

Recently I have been going through a "No Wave" and "Cinema of Transgression" film movement phase; a few weeks ago I watched the feature-length documentary Blank City and enjoyed it very much, so much so that I've been intending to do a blog posting regarding the film. Profiled in the doc was a low-budget "first feature" film that I had heard of but had not seen: Directed by Susan Seidelman, Smithereens, as evidenced by the clips within Blank City, looked like something I would want to investigate.

Last night I did just that. Not only did I enjoy the flick but I was impressed at how good it was in an overall sense, as a story film, but also in its bits and pieces; from cinematography to directing to acting.

Richard Hell and Susan Berman

The main character of Wren, played by Susan Berman, is authentically annoying and obnoxious, lost and desperate to connect with whomever will facilitate her quest to be absorbed into the punk scene -- albeit one on its last legs, at least in New York City. Her journey, consisting of ping-pong-like movements, is painful for the viewer who has at one point in their lives wanted to fit into a culture or group seemingly unattainable.

What was no surprise to me, once I got into the groove of the flick, is how and why Smithereens catapulted director Susan Seidelman into the big leagues; as in, studio feature film with 'carded' actors: I'm speaking of 1985's Desperately Seeking Susan.