Permanent Record (1988)

Simply Remarkable

Long before there was The Matrix, before there was a Bill and Ted, Keanu Reeves starred in Permanent Record, a movie that inexplicably has gone unnoticed. Permanent Record is a wonderful, moving, touching film about how one deals with those tragedies in life that have no explanation, and no matter how much we ask Why?, we know there will never be an answer to that question.

If you have never seen this film, my recommendation would be that the first time you view it, you watch it cold without knowing anything about what is to take place. That would mean not reading this review or any of the others posted here. After you have watched the film you will understand. The film begins as if you are watching any other film about teenagers, high school and their day to day lives. The two main characters are Chris (Keanu Reeves) and David (brilliantly portrayed by Alan Boyce), who are good friends. They play in a band together for which David is writing the music. David is a straight A student whom seems to have everything going for him. He is popular, he has been accepted into a major music college, he has a very loving, caring, wonderful set of parents (played by Barry Corbin and Kathy Baker), a younger brother who looks up to and admires him and a beautiful girl friend. Yet, we begin to see little things that hint there is something wrong in David's life. The first time you watch Permanent Record, like his family and friends, you may not even notice that things are not as perfect for David as they seem. We see the signs, but we ignore them or overlook them.

It is not long until one fateful night a tragedy occurs that will forever alter the way Chris along with his friends and classmates view their lives. We are there when it happens, along with Chris, yet like Chris, we don't actually see the event occur. At first, as Chris does also, we are sure it must have been an accident. We soon find out it was not. Instead David's family and friends are only left with questions How could this happen when David seemed to have everything going for him? Why did it happen? Couldn't they have seen it coming? Shouldn't they have been able to stop it from happening? They are questions for which there will never be any answers, not for us not for them. They must come to terms with what happens, without ever understanding. In the end that is what Permanent Record is about. There are so many things that happen in life which will be beyond our understanding or reasoning. We may look back angrily when we think about it, as Chris and his classmates surely will, as they learn their own lives are changed forever.

Keanu Reeves gives an emotional depth to his character that I have never seen him bring to any film since Permanent Record. He has all the characteristics of a typical High Scool boy down, yet we are able to see the pain he is going through, and we feel it as much as he does. Alan Boyce as David, plays him with such perfection, that even when he is no longer on the screen, that we miss him along with Chris, his parents and his classmates.

The last five minutes of this film are five of the most poignant minutes I have ever experienced in any film. It is a scene that will touch deep into your heart and soul. Though we may never understand many of the tragedies that occur in life, we remember those we have lost and the things they brought to us while they were here. Then, in the end, we must move on. Sometimes there just aren't any answers. December 26, 2005

Permanent Record with Keanu Reeves

The movie may not be Keanu's best but it touched me. It is a very young and fresh Keanu who actually impressed me with his acting skills. He did a very good performance in this flick as the teenage kid living with his divorced and very absent minded father. Mostly left to himself Keanu tries to find some substance in his life with his high school friends and especially the band he plays in.
His best friend whom he admires tremendously commits suicide before his very eyes. Keanu tries to find the answers to all the questions afterwards.
October 9, 2005

Touching

A story about a group of teens in the 80's who struggle with the suicide of their friend who seems to have it all. Keanu Reeves plays the part of his best friend who goes through a series of emotions ranging from anger to guilt. I believe Keanu's acting in this movie is one of the stepping stones to a career that can claim him the complimentary box office title that he sincerely deserves. September 13, 2005

Brilliant little gem of a movie sadly overlooked

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. July 21, 2005

been through it...

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. July 8, 2004

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