Many critics saw the movie "Permanent Record" as a sanitized and vastly inferior version of "River's Edge." The L.A. Times remarked that PR "started like River's Edge and ended like 'Fame." Even Keanu thought the movie's ending was a cop-out because, as Sheila Johnston (Keanu biographer) remarked, it had "a feel-good ending on a feel-bad story." Some suggested the main difference between the two films was that one was an independent production (RE) and the other was a studio product (PR) encumbered by the pressure to please the audience. Both movies dealt with teen angst and aliennation in reaction to very extreme teen experiences: murder and suicide. Both movies should be applauded for tackling the hard issues in today's society, a rarity in the current teen movie market. It is easier for me to watch Permanent Record than River's Edge, not because of the differences in the endings of each movie, but because the teens in PR are similar to the teens I work with everyday and I can relate to them easier. I have also worked a few times with teens like the ones in RE, and the experience is just as difficult in real life as it is to watch on screen.
PR unfolds, or meanders, through a series of subplots (the school play, the first party, the rock band), as each is impacted by a friend's suicide. Variety's response to this approach was negative, stating that the film was "populated by profoundly unrewarding characters doing and saying utterly uninteresting things." Roger Ebert, on the other hand, called PR "one of the year's best films" and concluded that it "absorbed us in apparently unremarkable details." Not all movies need loud explosions and dramatic action scenes to be good movies, and PR was a good movie as it "unfolded, like life." All the critics credited the movie with a great soundtrack. The score and several featured songs were written by Joe Strummer of Clash (one of Keanu's favorite bands). Keanu performed most of the guitar sequences in the movie. PR was the first movie Keanu was listed as the star and he received rave reviews for his performance. It was one of four of his films released in 1988: Night Before, Prince of Pa., Dangerous Liasons (by a few days) were the other three.
Permanent Record began filming in September 1987 in Newport and Portland, Oregon. Paramount gave it an $8 million budget, high for a small film, because of the success of other serious teen movies at that time, like RE, Pretty in Pink, and Breakfast Club. It was released on April 22, 1988 and made $2 million in its short run in U.S. theaters. Its director was Marisa Silver, who was well-known as an Emmy-nominated documentary film-maker. It was only her second feature film (her first was called "Odd Enough," which won honors at the U.S. Film Festival). She wanted the movie to be "life-affirming;" Keanu agreed, stating that the friend's suicide (David) taught his character "a lesson about life." The director wanted unknown actors with "idiosyncratic qualities" to play the supporting roles, many of whom went on to recognition in TV series in the 1990's, such as Kathy Baker (David's mom) who starred in "Picket Fences" and Barry Corbin (David's dad) who starred in "Northern Exposure." Keanu was almost 23 years old when he tried out for the role of David, but was cast instead as 17 year old Chris Towsend, David's best friend and the emotional center of the film. The producer, Frank Mancuso, Jr., said they wanted Keanu because "we were looking for an actor to portray someone who {was} constantly on the edge...someone with real highs and lows. Keanu was able to convey that." And conveyed it well, in gut-wrenching, raw scenes like the one in the street with David's father, as he cried out bitterly, "I should've known," and in quiet moments, as Chris awkwardly told David's family and friends that the death was not an accident, but a suicide. L.A. Times wrote that Keanu's portrayal had "a relaxed vitality and unwavering honesty" to it and the Boston Globe said Keanu was "a young actor of depth and remarkably sure instincts."
The role of Chris was similar to other roles Keanu played in the 1980's, such as Matt in River's Edge, Rupert in "Prince of Pennsyvania", and Ted in "Bill and Ted's Excellent Adventure." Once again Keanu was playing a character who was an aimless slacker with poor school performance, and a dysfunctional relationship with his father. But unlike the above characters, Chris and his friends were trying to adapt to the larger adult world. His Chris was more emotional than Matt, more accepting of male authority figures than Rupert, and more in tuned with his peers than Ted (though Ted and Chris do become musicians in their own right by the end of their movies!)
From the opening scene, in which we become a part of the crowd of students as they make their way to Thurber High School, to the later scenes, where we experience the shock and sorrow of their friend's suicide, the audience feels they are an intimate part of a shared experience. For this reason, I like Permanent Record and I think its a quiet, thought-provoking movie on a very difficult subject.
The balcony is now open.
UPDATE:Thanks to Keith.
**********Update Feb 4, 2005*********
Thanks to yutthakan for proving an mp3 of the Jennifer Rubin version captured from the film (there's a bit of dialog in there but the recording is wonderful).
Right click on the link below and save to your hard drive. Please do not stream or link directly to the file from another site, thanks.
Wishing on Another Lucky Star-Jennifer Rubin.mp3
*********
Further Update 07/06/05
Big Thank You to Jens who sent the chords to the song and says:
"For those of you that have the gift of musical talent I here give you the chords of the song (as I hear it) so you can play it yourself."
(the formatting doesn't want to cooperate when I paste it into the entry, so here it is as a text file. --krix)
"Wishing on Another Lucky Star" - J.D. Souther
F Dm7
Your friends may lie
Bb C
The truth can come from strangers
F Dm7
If I knew why
Bb C
We wouldn't be in this danger
Dm7 F Bb C Bb G
Leaning out the window of my car
F C Bb C F
And wishing on another lucky star
F Dm7
Life is long
Bb C
It is not made to measure
F Dm7
You will go on
Bb C
The same in pain and pleasure
Dm7 F Bb C Bb G
Wondering how we ever got this far
F C Bb C F
By wishing on another lucky star
Dm7 Bb
Life goes on
C
As sure as the sky
Dm7 Bb
It's come and gone
C
In the wink of an eye
Bb F
You leave your home
Bb F Bb F
On the wings of a lie:
Bb F Bb
"You will never die"
F Dm7
The world is cold
Bb C
A heart gets torn and tattered
F Dm7
The one you hold
Bb C
It can be dropped and shattered
Dm7 F Bb C Bb G
Leaning out the window of my car
F C Bb C F
And wishing on another lucky star
Dm7 Bb
Life goes on
C
As sure as the sky
Dm7 Bb
It's come and gone
C
In the wink of an eye
Bb F
You leave your home
Bb F Bb F
On the wings of a lie:
Bb F Bb
There's a car outside . . .
This movie meant a lot to me.
My closet friend killed herself last year,she was only 18 years old.
I remember being so scared of watching this movie,because i've gone through what "Chris" had gone through,and i found myself crying the entire movie.
Also,i felt like i should talk about what happend to my friend and not to hide my pain.
~Nat~
Posted by: Natalie on October 3, 2002 07:05 AMOh that's so sad Nat...:(
Life can't be that hard that people feel that that's the only way out, but it happens.
I was close to the edge myself a few years back because I was suffering from depression. But I got through it with the Lord's help.
This is a great movie for Keanu's resume. "A relaxed vitality and unwavering honesty". Well, that's Keanu all over. He's the man!
Posted by: Keanuette on October 11, 2002 02:57 PMThis is my favorite Keanu film. I cry every time I watch it. Every time. I don't care what those fucking moronic critics say...this is Keanu's BEST work.
Posted by: Renie on October 28, 2002 02:34 AMwho sang the song *wishing upon a another shooting star?? The time and moment my grandfather died, the part of the song *you will never die* popped into my head as he died while I was holing his hand. Please if anyone has all the lyrics of this song let me know.
Posted by: soni on January 2, 2003 09:16 PMplease who knows the lyrics of the song...
"the world is cold, a heart gets torn and tattered... friends may lie, the truth may come from strangers... leaning on the window of my car, and wishing on another lucky star"?
it was during the play in the movie which sung by the girl who was in-love with David.
pleaseee.....
please who knows the lyrics of the song...
"the world is cold, a heart gets torn and tattered... friends may lie, the truth may come from strangers... leaning on the window of my car, and wishing on another lucky star"?
it was during the play in the movie which sung by the girl who was in-love with David.
pleaseee.....
please who knows the lyrics of the song...
"the world is cold, a heart gets torn and tattered... friends may lie, the truth may come from strangers... leaning on the window of my car, and wishing on another lucky star"?
it was during the play in the movie which sung by the girl who was in-love with David.
pleaseee.....
The name of the song is wishing on another lucky star, it is sung by JD Souther. I am not sure who did the female solo. Enjoy.
"Wishing on Another Lucky Star"
Your friends may lie
The truth can come from strangers
If I knew why
We wouldn't be in this danger
Leaning out the window of my car
And wishing on another lucky star
Life goes on
As sure as the sky
Has come and gone
In the blink of an eye
You leave your home on the wings of an lie
You will never die.
The world grows cold
A heart gets torn and tattered
The one you hold
It can be dropped and shattered
Leaning out the window of my car
And wishing on another lucky star
Life goes on
As sure as the sky
Has come and gone
In the blink of an eye
You leave your home on the wings of an lie
There’s a car outside.
i love the song a lot!!! after hearing it (in the movie where a girl sang it in the play) i just knew this song will be a part of my life forever!! but why "there's a car outside"? don't get it?!!!
Posted by: d-zel on April 16, 2003 11:25 PMI really want to see this movie too. On our school in two weeks two people killed theirselves and a girl in my class also has triid to commit suicide. I have tried it muself too so I probably will cry the whole movie. Only it's really hard to get for me because I'm from Hollamnd and if I want to see this movie it has to be aired on TV, which will not happen. Can anybody help me?
Amazon has the movie at
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/B00000F5IE/qid%3D1056282627/sr%3D11-1/ref%3Dsr%5F11%5F1/002-7553520-5257665
I bought it from them myself 'cause I love it.
-M
Posted by: MS on June 22, 2003 04:51 AMI think Jennifer Rubin sang the song in the film; Rob left out a verse - here's the whole thing as I know it:
"Wishing on Another Lucky Star"
- J.D. Souther
Your friends may lie
The truth can come from strangers
If I knew why
We wouldn't be in this danger
Leaning out the window of my car
And wishing on another lucky star
Life is long
It is not made to measure
You will go on
The same in pain and pleasure
Wondering how we ever got this far
By wishing on another lucky star
Life goes on
As sure as the sky
It's come and gone
In the wink of an eye
You leave your home
On the wings of a lie:
"You will never die"
The world is cold
A heart gets torn and tattered
The one you hold
It can be dropped and shattered
Leaning out the window of my car
And wishing on another lucky star
Life goes on
As sure as the sky
It's come and gone
In the wink of an eye
You leave your home
On the wings of a lie:
"You will never die"
There's a car outside . . .
Thank you guys for posting these lyrics!
Posted by: krix on July 9, 2003 12:14 PMThanks for the lyrics.
Posted by: Loraine on July 10, 2003 05:56 AMI'm so thankful you guys posted the song and lyrics- I've been searching for it for years, as it had a heavy impact on my back in high school (10 years ago now) when a close friend of mine did kill himself- and I've carried the tune in my heart ever since. Even to go so far as to sing it a capello to my godchildren, though I could never remember the complete wording. Bless you and yours- I'm grateful to have finally found the whole song!
Posted by: Jazmyn on July 26, 2003 06:32 AMAnyone know where I can get a copy of that song online? (I can't find the sdtrk anywhere anyways)...I especially want the version straight from the movie... Thanks!!! (please email if you know where it can be found!)
Posted by: stacey727 on July 26, 2003 08:06 PMi found the song on kazaalite and downloaded it.Im still looking for the movie version but if you want it I can email it to you if its not too big a file size.
Posted by: keith on July 27, 2003 04:21 PMthis movie is awsome. it is so real. i can't wait for it to come out on dvd. e-mai me if anyone else thinks this movie rocked.
Posted by: jeallstar33 on July 27, 2003 07:45 PMThanks to Keith, added to the entry is a link to download and save JD Souther's version of the song.
Posted by: krix on August 7, 2003 01:54 PMLink doesn't work krix. I would like to download the song...;)
Posted by: Keanuette on August 17, 2003 04:18 PMI'm trying to fix it, but it still will not download and I don't know why.
I'll see what I can do tonight.
Posted by: krix on August 18, 2003 12:56 PMOK, the link to save the song is fixed.
Please right click and "save target as" to download to your hard drive.
Is it legal to download this song? With all the news stories about lawsuits, I am not sure if I should or not. Any advice?
Posted by: Leigh Anne on September 25, 2003 08:58 PMOfficial voice: Please consider this song a "sample" and delete it from your hard drive after 24 hours and purchase the CD from a reputable music retailer.
Unofficial voice: I don't think this little obscure 15+ year old track is going to get you in trouble. If anything, it's my ass and someone could contact me and make me take it down.
Posted by: the management on September 25, 2003 09:14 PMIf anyone can possibly make a digital copy of Jennifer Rubin's version of "wishing on another lucky star" from their copy of the movie I would so greatly appreciate it. Her version has really meant a lot to me.
Posted by: Chun Lim on October 24, 2003 02:59 AMi simply love everything about this movie: the story, the cast, esp. the soundtrack... i cried when
i heard the girls' version of the song... this movie really touched me.
Does anyone have the acapella version of the song "Wishing on Another Lucky Star" that was sung by a woman in the movie?
Thanks,
Meg
Posted by: Meg on November 11, 2003 01:50 PMi havent seen this movie yet and im dying to i ordered it last week and hopefully will receive it soon ive seen all his other movies though he is definitely the sexiest man alive
Posted by: keanu_girl_04 on November 16, 2003 04:53 PMIf anyone can possibly make a digital copy of Jennifer Rubin's version of "wishing on another lucky star" from their copy of the movie I would so greatly appreciate it. Her version has really meant a lot to me.
Posted by: Beethoven Hortencio on November 18, 2003 03:26 PMEsse filme é muito emocionante, mas a parte que Jennifer Rubin abre a boca para canta Wishing on Another Lucky Star é de arrepiar. Você sente toda a emoção que estava presa transbordar! Então, penso para quem tenha a versão a qual ela canta que envie para o meu e-mail:beethovenhrc@ig.com.br
Posted by: Beethoven on November 20, 2003 10:37 AMI have been searching for this movie and the song for seven years and was unable to find the information I wanted. This movie brings tears to my eyes because it makes me remember what it was like for me in high school and if it wasn't for some of my friends it could have been me. I just hope others have friends like I did. Thanks alot for everything.
Posted by: Cathy on December 22, 2003 06:10 PMIf anyone is able to find or make a copy of the Jennifer Rubin version, I would be happy to post it and make it available.
Send it in mp3 format to backlot @ keanuvision . com (remove the spaces)
Also, this movie will be available on DVD this February and can be pre-ordered at amazon.
Posted by: the management on December 23, 2003 11:20 AMI can make a copy from the movie but it will have the speaking in the middle I have sound software to play with it will see what i can do
Posted by: Frank on January 15, 2004 06:35 AMThanks so much for posting the song, his version is fabulous, of course, but we all want the version Jennifer sang sooo sweetly!! If someone could get a cleaned up copy on the web so many of us would be in heaven, thanks again!!
Posted by: Lisa on February 10, 2004 12:51 PMyap! i agree lisa. pls email the version of jennifer rubin at angelica16_2000@yahoo.com. tnx! i love the song a lot!
Posted by: alakina on March 3, 2004 03:23 AMi lurve this movie.<3xxxxx
Posted by: ~*HaNnY*~ on March 24, 2004 11:07 AMWow thanks alot for the song, I have been looking all over as others here have and finally found you, alas JD Souther does not sound as good to me as Jennifer Rubin did, I am asking if someone would email the Jennifer Rubin version to me as well.... Many Thanks
Posted by: Headhunter on March 27, 2004 11:00 AM