Over The Edge
The 'respectable' members of the planned suburban community of New Granada are trying to find ways to bring business and jobs to their decaying community. Unfortunately, they don't seem to realize that their own children have nothing to do in New Granada, and find their amusement in alcohol, drugs, property destruction, and delinquency.
Member Reviews
"Dazed and Confused" 1979 - fraz2
Jonathan Kaplan's powerfully honest "Over the Edge" (1979) shares many similarities with Richard Linklater's popular and poignant "Dazed and Confused" (1993). The two films are spiritual siblings. This is the first thing I noted while watching "Over the Edge" - "Dazed and Confused" obviously borrows heavily from the former in terms of subject matter, style, and characterization. Both films deal with youth alienation and ennui in 1970s American suburbia and both films do an excellent job capturing the spirit and culture of the late 1970s. Furthermore, both films have killer soundtracks that are worth tracking down if you are a fan of the music of the era.
Anyone who grew up in a planned community or "the burbs" can relate to the anger, boredom, and frustration that typifies the characters in "Over the Edge". For energetic and restless teenagers, the stifling blandness, sameness, and repetitiveness of suburban planned developments can make one's community feel like a prison. The primary characters in "Over the Edge" react to this overwhelming sense of desperation and alienation by abusing drugs and alcohol and engaging in acts of vandalism. The conflict between the youths and their oblivious parents and community "leaders" (police, property developers) is the focus of the film.
While "Dazed and Confused" is a nostalgic remembrance of being young in the late 1970s much like "American Graffiti" (1973) presented the early 1960s, "Over the Edge" sidesteps any such rosiness and gives the viewer serious food for thought about the disconnect between young people's lives and their often ambivalent parents.
The film's power comes from its honesty and realism. In fact, the central issues of the movie come from real life incidents of vandalism and delinquency that occurred in California in the early 1970s. The message is clear: ignore the needs of young people at your peril.
"Over the Edge" is a hidden gem that is highly recommended.Suburban Dystopia goes BOOM! - Spumco
This movie is on the verge of its 30th anniversary and is more relevant now than ever. Anyone who thinks moving their children to a desolate "upscale" bedroom community will salvage some kind of idyllic suburban childhood needs to watch this. Based on real-life events taking place over a two year period in Foster City California boasting some of the worst juvenile crime rates (vandelism, drug 'abuse', theft, etc), Over the Edge is one dark picture. As a product of a milder form of suburbia I can confirm that isolating kids and rendering them immobile is a bad idea. All of the actors in this film speak in plain, and thus natural teenage-language...a tremendous relief from any John Hughes movie or those insufferable kids on Dawson's Creek. Over the Edge is well-known as Matt Dillon's debut, but I think the real stories here are the sensitive and genuine kid actor performances from the kids playing Carl and Claude. Their property-development obsessed parents ignore everything to do with the kids of New Granada until they demand to be heard. Property developers and architects, take note!Outstanding film; still holds up well, 28 years later - Boris_Lugosi
In the early 1980s, Over the Edge (1979) used to show on cable television regularly, then it sort of disappeared from the radar. Too bad, because it was an incredibly powerful film about youth alienation, circa 1979. Thanks to the DVD revolution, even the most obscure titles are now available to film lovers, and superb hidden gems, such as Over the Edge, are once again accessible. Jonathan Kaplan's direction helps the film transcend its low budget, and the powerful performances (including Matt Dillon and Vincent Spano in early roles) give the film even more of a boost. The stand-out performance in the film is, undoubtedly, Michael Kramer as Carl. He plays the role with a quiet intensity that brings the protagonist to life. Thanks to Zip.ca, I watched Over the Edge again 25 years after I originally saw it, and it did not disappoint. It retains much of its power. Sure, it appears dated in scenes, but it is, after all, set in the late 1970s, so of course it has the authenticity of being made when it takes place. This is a first-rate film about youth alienation. Rent it today--you won't regret it.
Member Reviews
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"Dazed and Confused" 1979 - fraz2
Jonathan Kaplan's powerfully honest "Over the Edge" (1979) shares many similarities with Richard Linklater's popular and poignant "Dazed and Confused" (1993). The two films are spiritual siblings. This is the first thing I noted while watching "Over the ...Suburban Dystopia goes BOOM! - Spumco
This movie is on the verge of its 30th anniversary and is more relevant now than ever. Anyone who thinks moving their children to a desolate "upscale" bedroom community will salvage some kind of idyllic suburban childhood needs to watch this. Based on real-life ...Outstanding film; still holds up well, 28 years later - Boris_Lugosi
In the early 1980s, Over the Edge (1979) used to show on cable television regularly, then it sort of disappeared from the radar. Too bad, because it was an incredibly powerful film about youth alienation, circa 1979. Thanks to the DVD revolution, even the ...