Out of the Blue

Out of The Blue(1980) along with Easy Rider(1969), and Colors(1987) are Dennis Hopper's best movies as a director. One of the best parts of the film is Linda Manz as CeBe who gives a performance that compares greatly with the most famous rebel of all, James Dean. In one way CeBe could be seen as a relative of Jim Stark from Rebel Without A Cause(1955). Out of The Blue begins where Easy Rider ends as it continues the search for an idealize place. It was a terrific film about the Punk Rock generation as Easy Rider was an interesting movie about the hippie generation.

Out of The Blue is comparable to the 1965 Yukio Mishima novel, The Sailor Who Fell From Grace With The Sea. They are both about teens who are angered and disillusioned with the adult world. The two teens both idealize and admire the main male adult of the story. Third, CeBe and Noboru both feel betrayed by their heroes(CeBe's Dad, and the sailer) for not being the person they were expected to be. The ending of this film is one of the most bleakest and nihilistic finalles that I've ever seen.

Very depressing and tragic movie. But is definitely a modernized version of Rebel Without A Cause - in the darkest way possible. Dennis Hopper plays the alcoholic so well, it's hard to tell if he's acting or really drunk (or both?) But Linda Manz as CeBe steals the show, in hopes to regain the youthful fun she had with her father before he went to prison 5 years prior. But in her maturity, she realizes how dysfunctional and depraved her surroundings have become. Siding with 'punk rock and Elvis' as a way to rebel and have someone to look up to during her fathers absence. But on his release, he immediately goes back to his drunken ways and making empty promises to Cebe that things will get better. And it's her painful realization that things never will. A fairly good depiction of the Vancouver area and era of the late 70's. Yet the movie has some drawn out scenes which run a bit too long. Soundtrack wise is fitting and not. Neil Young's anthem tune fits it like a loose glove. Disembodied snippets and recitations of Elvis songs seems to throw it off course. And brief exposures of true punk bands like The Pointed Sticks juxtaposed with C&W acts in local bars can almost cause whiplash. Yet, that was the realism back in the day. So possible a more focused and/or coordinated soundtrack may have made the movie more dramatic - but lose the realism...? All in all, it's not an easy watch. But is honest and realistic well before Gasper Noe or Bong Joon Ho. Should something as depressing and depraved as Out Of The Blue exist? I think so, as it's an experience that no doubt exists somewhere to this day for someone - and it's NOT pretty!

Actor Dennis Hopper directs this very confronting, symbolic oddball minor art house drama with a very convincing shade peering into the punk rock scene with a raw, but lasting performance by young actress Linda Manz. The film feels rather aimless in a structured sense, centring on the mood swings and angst being drummed out by a wayward teenage girl that uses music (as Elvis is seen as an idol) and the punk scene to getaway from the troubles at home that involve a ditsy, drug-addicted mother (a busy Sharon Farrell) and alcoholic, ex-convict father (a methodically towering Dennis Hopper) that still holds onto a unforgettably tragic wound. It can be a bit of a trek steering more towards interesting than entertaining, as it delves into a well-rounded journey made up of clips involving people, situations and a sense of place. Quite seedy and never did it paint a pretty picture, no matter how hard the characters tried. There's no real choice, but to innocently grow up fast and it becomes a harrowing crash course in destruction, which ends surprisingly to delve out a nastily tearing punch. The script might be blunt, but there's a real natural attitude to the dialogues with an authentic chemistry between the cast in their deliveries. The style is kind of similar to Hopper's benchmark "Easy Riders (1969)", where at times it feels like somebody's home video. Surrounding the air is an excellent old school soundtrack that perfectly complements igniting tones. Hopper does a capable job behind the camera, despite some meandering and forced passages, but even with the minimalist tinge he never loses focused of the story at heart.

Long before Larry Clark and his "Kids" came along Dennis Hopper (who made that other classic film about doomed youth - Easy rider) directed this brilliant and hard-edged drama about a rebellious young girl, CB whose father (played brilliantly by Hopper) comes out of prison after a horrific auto accident with a school bus. An angry film that perfectly captures the disillusionment of post-punk youth in modern America (even though the film was shot in Canada). CB's hopes for a normal family life are shattered though and it isn't long till things build to a shocking climax as a revelation about CB's father tears the whole family apart. A typically uncompromising film from rebel Hopper with excellent performances and gritty, realistic direction. This film is a must see for all fans of non-compromising realistic film. See it!

Don't be fooled by the negative reviews. This is definitely worth watching. Linda Manz is INCREDIBLE! Come on! She was in Gummo!!! (She was also in The Wanderers and played a similar tomboy-Jackie Earle in drag (sorta) character). She gets the job done and well is all I'm trying to say. But Dennis Hopper gives an amazing performance as usual in all his psycho glory and the dude who plays Charlie is slimy as hell (good thing){note: I didn't remember it was Don Gordon who also played a sleazy dude in The Mack}. Plus Neil Young songs. What else do you need? My videotape copy has the worst quality of a commercially released video that I've ever been witness to, but I see that the great folks at Anchor Bay have released this on DVD. I'll be buying it soon. You should too.