***SPOILERS*** ***SPOILERS*** I had wanted to see this movie for quite some time, but until recently it was not available on video due to lack of a distributor (according to the official Trash website). Well, a distributor was found and TRASH is now available at Blockbuster. The film wasn't horrible, but I found it a bit disappointing.
TRASH, also known as NOBODY'S CHILDREN is a depressing look at the lives of two poverty-stricken teens living in the South (Keystone Heights, Florida to be exact). The film focuses on best friends Anthony (Eric Michael Cole) and Sonny (Jeremy Sisto). Although both boys are from the same impoverished background, their lives particularly at home, are quite different as well as the way in which they both deal with their lives and surroundings. Anthony lives in a trailer park with his caring mother who works hellish shifts (as what seems to be a cleaning lady) to support him. He deals with his crappy life by writing stories, one of which is entered into a contest, winning the young man a scholarship and a chance out. Sonny, on the other hand, has no future nor any real chance. He comes from a horribly dysfunctional and unloving home where he suffers much physical and emotional abuse at the hands of his alcoholic father. Sonny deals with his situation by fighting, drinking, stealing, along with a host of other fun-filled destructive activities. As well as dealing with their lousy existences, Anthony and Sonny are also coping with the death of their best buddy, Garrett, who is killed in a hunting accident in the beginning of the film. Will Sonny and Anthony be able to escape their doomed lives?
So...where does the movie go wrong? The film appears to be somewhat of an autobiographical account of Galluzzo's own life (he's most likely the character of "Anthony" in the film). Because of this it seems that he felt it necessary to include a lot of unnecessary junk that instead of making the story he is telling clearer, has cluttered it. The death of Garrett in the opening scenes of the film is fine, but could've been better integrated throughout the movie. His death seems misplaced whenever it is brought up. It is just thrown into various scenes for emotion. The existence of the other friend, Jay is completely pointless. He serves no function in the film except to pop up a few times throughout and say something unimportant, if anything at all. The narration (done by director Galluzzo) is unnecessary and becomes an annoyance. The film in its entirety is muddled and choppy with its fair share of pointless dialogue. TRASH, although its plot is familiar and predictable, had the potential to be so much stronger and more powerful if these elements were removed or at least re-worked in a more coherent way. Perhaps if the performances by the cast had been better, the rest of the film would not have seemed so muddled. The only decent performance in the film was given by Jeremy Sisto as Sonny James. Sisto is powerful and intense in his role and carries much, if not most of the film. He is definitely a talented young actor with a very wide range. Sisto has gone from playing a young transsexual in THE CREW, to a violent and troubled teen in TRASH, to Jesus in the 2-part CBS mini-series, JESUS. Some might even remember him as Elton, the handsome chic rich boy who wanted Alicia Silverstone in CLUELESS. Sisto's performance in TRASH is good and I really look forward to seeing his work in the future.
Despite all of these factors, the film is not a horrendous muck. I did find myself feeling sympathy for the two main characters, particularly Sonny whose lack of love and self-hatred gradually destroy him. Despite his disgusting and violent behavior, one can't help but feel pity for him. Galluzzo's attempts to make Sonny appear to be less of a monster are very obvious and contrived, but nonetheless work. Scenes in which Sonny interacts with his older sister's daughter or C.J.'s younger brother or the fact that he suffers a beating from his father as a result of trying to help out his sister's children, make you feel even more for the character. The film has an oppressive and suffocating feel to it that you find yourself wanting to get the hell out of Keystone Heights along with the boys.
Is this film worth renting? I think so. Despite its flaws, it is not a bad film and is definitely watchable, although depressing. I would recommend seeing it if only for the performance given by Sisto.
TRASH, also known as NOBODY'S CHILDREN is a depressing look at the lives of two poverty-stricken teens living in the South (Keystone Heights, Florida to be exact). The film focuses on best friends Anthony (Eric Michael Cole) and Sonny (Jeremy Sisto). Although both boys are from the same impoverished background, their lives particularly at home, are quite different as well as the way in which they both deal with their lives and surroundings. Anthony lives in a trailer park with his caring mother who works hellish shifts (as what seems to be a cleaning lady) to support him. He deals with his crappy life by writing stories, one of which is entered into a contest, winning the young man a scholarship and a chance out. Sonny, on the other hand, has no future nor any real chance. He comes from a horribly dysfunctional and unloving home where he suffers much physical and emotional abuse at the hands of his alcoholic father. Sonny deals with his situation by fighting, drinking, stealing, along with a host of other fun-filled destructive activities. As well as dealing with their lousy existences, Anthony and Sonny are also coping with the death of their best buddy, Garrett, who is killed in a hunting accident in the beginning of the film. Will Sonny and Anthony be able to escape their doomed lives?
So...where does the movie go wrong? The film appears to be somewhat of an autobiographical account of Galluzzo's own life (he's most likely the character of "Anthony" in the film). Because of this it seems that he felt it necessary to include a lot of unnecessary junk that instead of making the story he is telling clearer, has cluttered it. The death of Garrett in the opening scenes of the film is fine, but could've been better integrated throughout the movie. His death seems misplaced whenever it is brought up. It is just thrown into various scenes for emotion. The existence of the other friend, Jay is completely pointless. He serves no function in the film except to pop up a few times throughout and say something unimportant, if anything at all. The narration (done by director Galluzzo) is unnecessary and becomes an annoyance. The film in its entirety is muddled and choppy with its fair share of pointless dialogue. TRASH, although its plot is familiar and predictable, had the potential to be so much stronger and more powerful if these elements were removed or at least re-worked in a more coherent way. Perhaps if the performances by the cast had been better, the rest of the film would not have seemed so muddled. The only decent performance in the film was given by Jeremy Sisto as Sonny James. Sisto is powerful and intense in his role and carries much, if not most of the film. He is definitely a talented young actor with a very wide range. Sisto has gone from playing a young transsexual in THE CREW, to a violent and troubled teen in TRASH, to Jesus in the 2-part CBS mini-series, JESUS. Some might even remember him as Elton, the handsome chic rich boy who wanted Alicia Silverstone in CLUELESS. Sisto's performance in TRASH is good and I really look forward to seeing his work in the future.
Despite all of these factors, the film is not a horrendous muck. I did find myself feeling sympathy for the two main characters, particularly Sonny whose lack of love and self-hatred gradually destroy him. Despite his disgusting and violent behavior, one can't help but feel pity for him. Galluzzo's attempts to make Sonny appear to be less of a monster are very obvious and contrived, but nonetheless work. Scenes in which Sonny interacts with his older sister's daughter or C.J.'s younger brother or the fact that he suffers a beating from his father as a result of trying to help out his sister's children, make you feel even more for the character. The film has an oppressive and suffocating feel to it that you find yourself wanting to get the hell out of Keystone Heights along with the boys.
Is this film worth renting? I think so. Despite its flaws, it is not a bad film and is definitely watchable, although depressing. I would recommend seeing it if only for the performance given by Sisto.