After interviewing hundreds of teenagers whose main frustration was being under the thumb of adult supervision, King sequesters five boys and five girls away in a farmhouse to do as they will. What unfolds is pretty much what you'd expect. They hang out, do drugs, hang out, play music (especially Alex, who would later become part of the megapopular and megaboring prog band Rush), hang out, hook up, and hang out. Those hoping for "Real World" style fireworks will be disappointed... the most dramatic it ever gets is some mild bickering about kitchen chores. There are a few interesting scenes, for example John talking about his former speed use, or a visit from the families where Alex's parents ironically fret over his future. But for the most part, it's pretty mundane fare with only a couple of standout personalities. If there's a message to this, it's that when kids are left to their own devices they'll probably do a decent job taking care of themselves (as long as someone else is footing the bill) but that's about it.
