A Um Passo do Abismo

Despite the melodramatic ending this film is very realistic and thoughtful. This is Matt Dillon's first movie and he is very natural and believable. Because the film was shot on location it had a fantastic look and feel. If you want to know what it felt like being a young teenager in 1979 or even now, then rent this film.

I first saw the movie when it opened in the spring of 1980, on a double bill with "Little Darlings". I ended up seeing it twice. I was the age of the kids in the film at the time, and my bull***t detector didn't go off once during the course of watching this film. The kids were real, the words natural and unaffected, and the whole thing about the boredom that is so prevailing when you're a teenager was right on the money. I remember as I watched the movie thinking that the clothes the kids were wearing looked worn just enough, like they had come out of the actors' own closets. Matt Dillon's first movie - I read that he auditioned for the part as something to do while he skipped school for a day. He reminded me utterly of my then high school boyfriend, right down to the voice, clothes and cocky attitude. The music was exactly what me and all my friends were listening to - Cheap Trick (the earlier, not-played-on-the-radio songs) and the Cars. Ok, so perhaps it was a little unrealistic at parts, and the soundtrack could have done without the Valerie Carter song, but wow, what a great little movie. Rent a copy, go home, slap it in your vcr, and get out your bong and a couple of beers. You won't be dissapointed, not even a little bit.

This was a teen movie that wasn't a 'teen' movie.

The best thing about this was how it showed that the parents imagined need to raise their kids in a sanitized environment can lead to mind-numbing boredom. Then to petty crime. Then to worse. But at the same time, the kids weren't made out to be these confused little angels either. You sympathized with them while knowing they needed to take responsibility.

Matt Dillion's debut is also his best film.

Most of the young actors were inexperienced. Some of them haven't been seen since. But they all still did a HELL of a job. Why isn't Michael Kramer better known? He was brilliant.

The one complaint I can come up with was some of the parents emotional overacting. Great film though.

John Evens Jr. High School in Greeley Colorado had a casting call prior to the filming for extras. If I remember right we got 25 dollars for each days work and we got fed.

Greeley was pretty much the perfect place for this movie. There was a huge teen violence problem there. even at age 12 I carried a pistol and roamed the city at will with other kids fearing attack from gangs of older teens. Drugs were everywhere.

The movie captured all that stupidity plus the Apathy and ignorance of the adults. I loved the scenes where we rioted in the Circus tent styled John Evens Jr. High School......made it hard to attend class the following year.

History has proved that the film makers knew what kind of society America would become...Cookie cutter homes,strip malls and teen murderers......Art predicts life.

Carl (Michael Eric Kramer) is a teenager living in the dull suburban neighborhood of New Granada, an entertainment desert where the only place for kids to hang out is the local rec center. He's not alone in his boredom, frustration, and anger. There's nothing to do except for getting drunk / high, committing vandalism, and having sex.

Enter Richie (Matt Dillon), a troubled teen whom Carl happens to idolize. Together, they attempt to find some reason to keep going.

With OVER THE EDGE, Director Jonathan Kaplan has perfectly captured the atmosphere and bleakness of the "instant neighborhoods" that sprang up like mushrooms then, and still do. One day it's farmland, the next day it's full of brand new construction on desolate streets. The oblivious, domesticated adults have their jobs and spouses, while their kids must fend for themselves.

Personally, I remember this well, and this movie is so realistic it's scary! The party scene sends chills down my spine, remembering the music, the booze, the smoke, the cops, etcetera. This is the most honest representation of this era and its cookie-cutter towns that I've ever seen. I watched it in 1980 or so, and laughed, cried, and related to everyone in it. Especially Carl. Hell, I jumped out of my seat and cheered during the fiery finale!

If you were there, you probably did the same...