![[box cover]](../../reviewimgs/k/kids.jpg)
KIDS
Photographer Larry Clark made a big impression with his first film, KIDS, easily and deservedly one of the most controversial movies of the 1990s, not to mention one of the best. More a slice-of-life than driven by narrative, KIDS could be subtitled Do the Wrong Thing, as a pack of self-centered, sociopathic teenagers carelessly spend a hot day on the streets of New York. The loose thread of a plot follows Telly (Leo Fitzpatrick) as he begins his day deflowering one young virgin and aims to score another before the next morning. This, while former conquest Jenny (Chloe Sevigny) tries to track him down after testing positive for HIV. Filmed in a loose, verité style, KIDS may technically be fiction but feels like a documentary, and it paints a terrifying — albeit objective — vision of pack-mentality self-gratification. These kids think nothing of consequence nor consideration, and the rare dissenter amongst them can only shake their head, impotently. Unfairly, KIDS has come under fire from media watchdog groups for its graphic teen sexuality and objective presentation of amoral hijinks, but, if anything, this film is the most potent argument around for parents to pay a little more attention, and take a little more care in how they raise their children. A must-see for anyone raising a family. Great transfer in 1.85:1 widescreen (if it looks grainy, that's because Clark shot it that way), with audio in Dolby 2.0 Surround. Trailers, keep case.
—Gregory P. Dorr
