DVD W WHERE THE DAY TAKES YOU

WHERE THE DAY TAKES YOU

Written by TroyAnderson Sep 18th 2009 Hits: 441 Favorites

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THE PLOT THUS FAR

Homelessness is a serious problem, but this film by Mark Rocco made it look like an alternative lifestyle that, if not for drugs and prostitution, would be kind of cool. Set in Los Angeles, the film centers on a group of homeless teens led by King (Dermot Mulroney), who tries to look out for his younger charges. But he can't keep some of them from getting involved in drug dealing, which leads to violence and melodrama involving evil drug dealer Kyle MacLachlan. Mulroney has a poignant quality, as does Lara Flynn Boyle as a runaway girl he falls for. On the other hand, Sean Astin is stereotypical as a strung-out kid who spoils everything. That's Will "Fresh Prince" Smith as a legless kid in a couple of scenes.

WHAT WE THOUGHT

What goes down is seen through the eyes of their 20-year-old unofficial leader and father figure, the street-smart hustler King (Dermot Mulroney). He might not be a good role model, but he looks after these youngsters as if they were family and gains their confidence more than their folks ever did. The group of runaways survive through begging, petty theft, and prostitution. In the main group are the pathetically wasted drug addict Greg (Sean Astin); the self-hating, gay, socially maladjusted, fuck up, baby-faced Little J (Balthazar Getty); and, the runaway newcomer minor from Chicago named Heather (Lara Flynn Boyle). The pretty girl provides the love interest for King, in a role that's all too familiar in such flicks. What they all share in common, is a driving need to find acceptance and security.

The film has Laura San Giacomo play a prison psychologist, who acts as an interviewer to question the just released from prison King about his street life and the values he believes in. It veers more to being a documentary than a Drugstore Cowboy type of drama, and consists of a series of flashbacks triggered by King's chats with the interviewer. These interludes fill us in on how someone might become a street person and end up living such an unappealing life, and much is also made of society's indifference to the runaway's plight.

The DVD only comes with a theatrical trailer. But, the cleaned up 1.78:1 transfer shows off how even a small indie from the 90s can look great on DVD. I just wish the same could be said for the audio which is plagued with multiple audio dropout. Still, the film is a great time capsule to look back at the starts of such actors as Will Smith and Balthazar Getty. I recommend it for a rental.

RELEASE DATE: 10/13/09