S.L.C. Punk! Review
By Christopher Null
Using the most conservative city in America as a backdrop for the American punk movement proves to be nothing short of brilliance in S.L.C. Punk! This little gem features the always-engaging Matthew Lilliard as "Stevo," a blue-haired college grad in the Reagan years who rages against the machine, his parents, his enemies, and -- of course -- Utah.
Shot in an agressive avant-garde style, Punk never drops below a dull roar, as Stevo engages the audience mano-a-mano, taking you into his world, how he became a punk, and hinting toward the inevitability that will turn him into his father.
Great supporting performances from Christopher McDonald ("I didn't sell out, I bought in!"), Jason Segel, and Til Schweiger make Punk stand out all the more, but it's Lilliard's in-your-face raving that sticks in your mind.
The new DVD -- at last! -- includes a commentary track and an odd, original SLC Punk video comic book.
Aka SLC Punk!
Facts and Figures
Year: 1999
Run time: 97 mins
In Theaters: Friday 16th April 1999
Distributed by: Sony Pictures Home Entertainment
Reviews
Contactmusic.com: 4 / 5
Rotten Tomatoes: 63%
Fresh: 20 Rotten: 12
IMDB: 7.5 / 10
Cast & Crew
Director: James Merendino
Producer: Sam Maydew, Peter Ward
Screenwriter: James Merendino
Also starring: Matthew Lillard, Annabeth Gish, Jennifer Lien, Christopher McDonald, Devon Sawa, Jason Segel, James Duval, Summer Phoenix, Adam Pascal, Til Schweiger, Sam Maydew, Peter Ward, James Merendino