Violences sur la ville

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...

The kids are not all right in New Granada!

This film very accurately portrays what life was really like for many teenagers who lived in the suburbs during the 1970s.

Growing up, my own life was very much like those of the teens in this movie: I was a teenager in the mid-70s and I lived in exactly the same sort of constantly under-development, suburban wasteland where whole mobs of kids were pretty much left to their own devices by parents who were too busy chasing the American Dream to notice what we were really up to; a place where there was easy access to lots and lots of cheap drugs and alcohol, and where boredom reigned supreme (remember, these were the days before the Internet, VCRs, or even home video games).

If you were ever rebellious and grew up during the same time period and in the same sort of suburban community, then I guarantee that virtually every character in this movie will remind you of someone you knew back then (maybe even yourself!).

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.

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.