With her unblinking but nonjudgmental eye, Spheeris doesn't shy away from the horrifying, at times violent messes these kids make of their lives, but she is always sensitive to the pain behind everything, to the unhappy futility of squandered potential.
Best and most touching when it shows how willing punk is to eat its young.
80
Chicago ReaderLisa Alspector
Chicago ReaderLisa Alspector
Spheeris, who includes her offscreen questions, evidently sympathizes with her subjects, though this doesn't stop her from pointing out their hypocrisy.
70
Village VoiceJessica Winter
Village VoiceJessica Winter
Spheeris gives every indication of having gotten too close to her material, but her film's overall air of discombobulation is poignant in itself.
Spheeris succeeds in creating a touching portrait, although the depressing nature of their dead-end, emotionally numb lives offers little hope for a cheerful resolution.
50
Christian Science MonitorDavid Sterritt
Christian Science MonitorDavid Sterritt
There's lots of atmosphere and information to be gained, but stay away unless you can tolerate graphic plunges into the wildest kinds of youthful excess.