Permanent Record | | Cast : | Keanu Reeves, Alan Boyce | | Director : | Marisa Silver | | Studio : | Paramount Home Video | | Format : | Color, Closed-captioned, Widescreen, Dolby, Surround Sound | | Released Date : | April 22, 1988 | | DVD Released Date : | February 17, 2004 | | Language : | English (Dubbed) | | Audience Rating : | PG-13 (Parental Guidance Suggested) | | | BUY THIS DVD FROM AMAZON |
Customer Reviews
| Rating |  | | Date | July 21, 2005 | | Summary | Brilliant little gem of a movie sadly overlooked | Content
 | I agree with all the reviews. "Permanent Record" is one of those little "sleeper" gems that was little seen upon its initial release and is still sadly obscure. I am grateful that it is available on DVD. I agree with the one reviewer who is sad that the J.D. Souther's song for the film, "Wishing on Another Falling Star" is unvailable on a CD of the film's music or on any CD by Souther. It should have received an Oscar nomination for Best Song of 1988. Keanu Reeves best performance to date. And I would like to see Boyce's acting career skyrocket. He deserves a very successful career as an actor. I don't agree with the reviewer who says suicide is "selfish." This reviewer obviously does not suffer from chronic depression nor has this person ever felt real, deadly despair. Its always easy for these people to judge - because they have no clue. They are incapable of empathizing with what serious depression or despair feels like nor do they have the capacity to be able to even imagine what it might be like. When one is in the throngs of despair and are about to committ suicide or are thinking about it they don't don't stop and think, "Would this be selfish of me?" Their pain is too overwhelming, too intense for them to be "Hamlet" and carry on a clinical, objective conversation with themselves. Emotions are not logical or rational. For some people they just hurt too much to go on. They don't intellectualize on the state of their being, especially if they feel so isolated or shameful or lost to even know how to reach out for help. They just want the pain to end. They are not capable of thinking about anything else. I'm not suicidal but I know what despair and depression feel like vividly. I can understand why someone would take their own life. Depression is an illness like any other. If a loved one of mine was to die of cancer, I wouldn't say, "Oh that was so selfish of them!" I have all the compassion in the world for those who live with despair and for whatever reason are unable to have hope, are unable to see that there are ways out of the dark tunnel. Particularly in this culture where there is so much loneliness, and alienation because this culture has lost its ability to build community, to care for one another, I find the reviewer's view on suicide as being "selfish" to be a naked expression of acute naivete, and ignorance of the human condition. I'd like to know what planet they are living on. Perhaps, karma will give them a taste of what despair feels like someday and then they will get a clue. |
| Rating | | | Date | July 07, 2004 | | Summary | been through it... | Content
| Right before this came out, I went through a boyfriend's suicide. The movie really hit home. It really explains the feelings that those left behind feel. Sure, as I look back it is corny in the 80's way but the questions everyone had and the wonder of why is so true for the survivors. The one thing the movie focused on is really the most important issue. Once the person has committed the suicide, they are no longer the problem. It is the recovery and coping of the survivors. A group of kids with no one to talk to or go to. Very much like it is today, 16 years later. I would suggest that if anyone knows of someone that is thinking of suicide, make them watch the movie. Show them what their friends and family will feel once they are gone. It may be a movie but it is very close to the real life feelings we survivors feel when we lose someone we love and don't know why and feel guilt because couldn't stop it. Remember, suicide is a permenant solution to a temporary problem. Keenu Reeves really takes the emotion and makes it real. Anyone could have played the part but he put such a realistic feel to the sorrow and anger, I really can't see anyone else in the roll. The song is beautiful and I had it at one time on cassette, now if that doesn't date me then I don't know what will. The whole movie is represents a process and the actors/actresses did a very good job of portraying it to the viewer. The scenes in Portland and the surrounding areas are a nice change to a sound stage. I think it brings a touch of reality because it doesn't take place in LA or New York. How many normal people live outside of those 2 cities? I would say a lot and this movie shows that problems exist in all walks of life. |
| Rating | | | Date | July 06, 2004 | | Summary | After School Special-icious! | Content
| I caught this film off cable a couple years ago. It is overwhelmingly cliche, but fun despite its corniness. Some of the music is good, one song, though melodramatic, "Wishing on Another Lucky Star," performed near the end, is absolutely beautiful, and worth the viewing just to hear performed. All in all the film is so-so, it's just a little cheesy, but not mean spirited or vapid. Hey, it was the 80s, Keanu Reeves is in the movie playing a grief stricken version of his "Bill and Ted's," character (huge surprise), what more can be expected? Basically, it is a very polished (in that 80s way which is barely) after school special. Don't expext any emotional revelations from it. If you're looking for a touching movie about grief, see "Ordinary People" (or the wonderful, "Imaginary Crimes" with Fairuza Balk), if you want to see a good 80s movie, catch "Some Kind of Wonderful," but if you just want to see a watchable movie with a few cute, sappy moments, this flick is for you! |
| Rating | | | Date | March 21, 2004 | | Summary | Powerful | Content
| This film was way ahead of its time. In this day and age, teenage suicides happen often, and appear in the press. This is a movie, set in the 80s, and really has a powerful effect on you. To start with, I was trying to figure out why the main character decided to kill himself. It never really says. But the movie concentrates more on what David's close friends feel on his suicide. The film focuses heavily on Keanu Reeves character, Chris. He features in some of the film's most powerful scenes, and although he plays his Ted character, goofy and gangly, he really acts his socks off. He also features in an almost painful crying scene. There's a terrific song, which unfortunately isn't available. It's worked on throughout the film, but it really comes to light towards the end. It's called "Wishing On Another Lucky Star", performed by J.D. Souther. This is a very powerful movie, although it didn't leave much of an effect on me. I was expecting it to leave me with something at the end of the movie, but this kinda movie has been done better in recent years - The Virgin Suicides for example. |
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