Over the Edge

As a tip of the hat to Kurt Cobain and our run of the new documentary KURT COBAIN, MONTAGE OF HECK, we thought the time was right to give some screen time to OVER THE EDGE, the 70’s coming-of-age drama Cobain cited as an influence (notable the SMELLS LIKE TEEN SPIRIT) video. Starring Matt Dillon, Eric Kramer, and Vincent Spano.

Kurt Cobain: “Over the Edge Pretty Much Defined My Whole Personality.”

Wednesday, May 20
Doors 8:45 / Movie 9:15
Tickets $8 in advance HERE/ $10 door
*Groupons and passes accepted for this screening. Please redeem at the door.
*All ages welcome in the balcony. Must be 19+ w/ID for bar service.

A 14 year-old Matt Dillon made his feature film debut in this coming-of-age depiction of suburban life that was inspired by actual events that took place in Foster City, California in the early 1970s. During its initial release in May 1979, at a time when negative publicity surrounded a wave of youth gang” films such as THE WARRIORS and BOULEVARD NIGHTS, OVER THE EDGE had a limited theatrical run and is considered by many to be “under seen,” and something of a lost classic. The film features themes of teenage rebellion and drug and alcohol use by junior high school students, as well as a soundtrack that includes bands like Cheap Trick, the Cars, and the Ramones. In the decades since, the film has achieved a cult film status, and was an inspiration for the music videos for the songs “Smells Like Teen Spirit” by Nirvana and “Evil Eye” by Fu Manchu.

OVER THE EDGE (Jonathan Kaplan, 1979 | 95 mins, DVD) With only a recreation center to distract them, most of the teenagers in the drab planned community of New Granada have turned to drugs and delinquency. Carl (Michael Kramer), the son of a town councilman, is an exception, but he can’t seem to help falling in with a charismatic and troubled classmate, Richie (Matt Dillon). Soon after, a trigger-happy sheriff (Harry Northrup) shoots Richie, and sole witness Carl has to go on the run, eventually inciting a dramatic teenage riot.