The Living End: Remixed and Remastered (1992)

Remixed, remastered, rehashed

This tiresome exercise in sexual and political button-pushing from gay arthouse director Gregg Araki is guaranteed to provoke renewed controversy in this tricked-out DVD release. Whether it deserves the attention is another matter.

For this "remixed and remastered" DVD, some images have been tweaked and the sound is noticeably altered. Fans may complain that all the raw edges of the original print have been filed down for a mass audience, and they'd be right. Araki, who has only recently begun to live up to his early promise as a director, provides a smart commentary in which he compares THE LIVING END to a certain classic screwball comedy. (I won't spoil the surprise by saying which one -- though film buffs will probably guess the title right away.)

As for the plot, in which an HIV-positive film critic hits the road with an HIV-positive hustler, it's mostly an excuse for mindless violence, anti-Republican propagandizing and assorted beefcake shots. That said, the sex and violence in this film are not nearly as graphic as they seem, and much of what was deemed groundbreaking in 1992 barely raises an eyebrow today. Even though THE LIVING END is often touted as a major work of the New Queer Cinema, Araki seems to understand just how dated his film has become. June 1, 2008

good visuals, plot might appeal to anarchists...

I love the look of this film, the brief pop culture references etc;, but I don't see why anyone who isn't pro-anarchy would want to watch this film. If you understand why anarchy is wrong, it gets pretty annoying watching people try to live that life. Vigilantism (sp?) is one thing, if you do it right like BATMAN does in BATMAN BEGINS, with respect to all mankind and not just your own emotions. Batman succeeded 'cause he didn't take any b.s. from anyone and managed to make people think the laws didn't apply to him by dressing up as a bat...but the people in this film are just scum. They DON'T have respect for anyone but themselves and they don't care. Why should I waste my time promoting apathy and anarchy? If you can manage to ignore the plot, the visuals are really cool, very atmospheric...I think the subject matter does have potential, but I guess Gregg Araki made this film pretty early in his career, which sorta explains it, 'cause I got bored with his 1993 follow up, TOTALLY F*'D UP, at about the same point I got fed up with this film. (the 35 minute mark, apprx). Four years later, he did NOWHERE, which is one of my favorite films of all time. May 24, 2008

Just wasn't that impressed

I could say that this movie shows it's age, but then again, I wasn't really a fan when it first came out. Two HIV Positive men, meet, are drawn to each other, head out on a rampage causing as much distruction as they can. At the time it was controversial due to a rape scene. The movie can lead to some interesting discussions and is probably more fun to watch with some friends than by yourself. April 10, 2008

Finally on DVD

"The Living End"

Finally on DVD

Amos Lassen

One of the most acclaimed gay themed films of all time is finally available on DVD and we have Strand Releasing to thank for that. "The Living End" is not only a classic film; it is in a category of its own basically because it ushered in the new age of queer movie making. This is also the film that brought Greg Araki the place he so rightfully deserves in the canon of gay cinema.
"The Living End" is not a film for everyone but if you are someone who respects audacity and independence, there is much to be gained here. It is a priceless low budget film with is saturated with talent, vigor and playfulness while undertaking a very serious issue. Greg Araki is a very odd kind of director because he manages to maintain his own singular individuality and he does so with a great sense of class.
Two men, both HIV positive, one extremely sensitive (Jon), the other a hustler, Luke, who is totally free thinking are finding ways to live in a world that seems not to care if they exist or not. The movie opens with Luke scribbling graffiti, "Fuck the World" on a wall. He seems to have given up. The two begin a road trip to the west where they try to find anything that is worth their time. As they roam, we examine the difference between sex and love and study the relationship between the two men which becomes more and more complicated as the film progresses. Luke's attitude gets them into trouble on many occasions and Jon is willing to forego love in order to be able to continue his life responsibly and for as long as he can. That the two men love each other is obvious but they seem to exist under a cloud of sadness.
The film is the cutting edge of the 90's and the dialog is brutally honest. The movie has humor which is frightful as the two boys go on what is their final trip. The two guys violently protest anything and everything--they are extremely angry. At the time the film was made it was considered radical to the nth degree. We did not have gay characters on TV and today the movie seems quite mild. It is when we put it in its historical context--pre-"Ellen", pre-"Will and Grace" and pre-"Brokeback Mountain"--that we see what an important film it is. The production values are pretty bad and when taken out of that historical context, many will consider it to be mediocre at best. At the time it was made, it was something that was completely different. Dealing with HIV, AIDS, and teen rage, we get two gay anti-heroes who, while not being role models, who come across not as negative stereotypes from the way straight society looks at them. There is no attempt to present political correctness especially in the way sex and violence are linked together. A character study of the early 90's and docudrama, "The Living End" tells it like it was. There are times when the film philosophizes and times when it is completely abstract. As the lives of the two characters are explored, we are presented with a surrealistic and exploratory journey which reminds us of a time now past. All of us knew a character like one of the men in the film. This case study in human nature is at times uncomfortable but it does show that AIDS still is not an important priority of our government, at least not to those suffering from the disease. Realistic and serious, this is a stark and unbridled look at what happens when lives are lived with little hope,
A word about the ending without giving it away--it is horrific and brutal and even though the film had to end this way, when you actually watch it, it will affect you deeply.
I have read many bad reviews about this film and I suspect that they were written by either those who did not live through the period or by those who compare this to Araki's later and more refined films. This was Greg Araki's first film and as a debut it must be looked at for what it does present and not foe what it omitted. I found it shattering and beautiful but, then, that is my opinion.
February 7, 2008

Badly acted film convoluted by its blatant politicization of AIDS

AIDS may well be a disease allowed to fester and grow as the result of U.S. government policy. That IS the belief of many activists. And yet, today (2005) we see that even with all the information, the cautionary advice, knowledge about how to prevent and avoid AIDS, many in the gay population are ignoring that advice and eschewing any protection and even refusing medication as some believe that there is NO such thing as AIDS. Rather it is the medication that is causing the sickness.

When this film was made, it was full of sound and fury signifying "something", I'm sure. However, in retrospect, it is quite obviously a first attempt by a freshman director at writing and filming a feature film. On that front, it does not work.

The acting in The Living End is so poor that it was painfully difficult for me to watch the film through to the end. The staging and premises were stilted and hackneyed. It would seem that the actors were cast for their "hunk" factor and nothing more.

Araki has gone on to make more fully developed and complete films. The Living End is a film that started his career (though it wasn't really his first film) and certainly garnered him praise by the gonzo film set.

However, if you are looking for a fully realized film like his own Mysterious Skin - don't look here. Parting Glances is a film that provides a far more full realization of the anger that some feel regarding AIDS. So too is Longtime Companion. The Living End tries to be a gay/AIDS Thelma and Louise. It isn't.

I give it two stars for its efforts, but that is stretching it even in my book... November 17, 2005

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