After interviewing hundreds of teenagers whose main frustration was being under the thumb of adult supervision, King sequesters five boys and five girls away in a farmhouse to do as they will. What unfolds is pretty much what you'd expect. They hang out, do drugs, hang out, play music (especially Alex, who would later become part of the megapopular and megaboring prog band Rush), hang out, hook up, and hang out. Those hoping for "Real World" style fireworks will be disappointed... the most dramatic it ever gets is some mild bickering about kitchen chores. There are a few interesting scenes, for example John talking about his former speed use, or a visit from the families where Alex's parents ironically fret over his future. But for the most part, it's pretty mundane fare with only a couple of standout personalities. If there's a message to this, it's that when kids are left to their own devices they'll probably do a decent job taking care of themselves (as long as someone else is footing the bill) but that's about it.
4 Reviews
Excellent
keeferboyboy28 December 2019
Had to skip through much of it but has it's moments
theos_717 April 2020
Every budding young musician who has to put up with the harassment of their parents about their chosen career path should watch this. How rare is it to have captured on film one of rock's future guitar gods (Alex Lifeson) having "the conversation" with his parents? Of course a musician probably has a much less than 1% chance of 'making it' so 'the conversation' is warranted.
John Hamilton seems to steal the show though. Many commenting on Youtube wonder what ever happened to him.
Otherwise, it's interesting to see the interplay between young people back then; strikes me as much more genuine and fun. No cell phones certainly helped. They were more engaged in the conversation - no heads perpetually looking down. And it's also weird that it's weird being so weird. What?
The More That They Change, The More They Stay The Same
anduandirobot7 January 2024
Ring ring ring.
"Hello, son, this is dad. I've just read that 2112 just went platinum. And uhm...this is kind of embarrassing but remember that discussion me and your mother had with you at the dinner table back in 1973? Well, I think we might've been a little tough on you. The thing is, I know how you don't have an interest in making a bunch of money, owning an expensive red Barchetta or having people say, 'Hey, there goes Alex, he's loaded with money.' So I was thinking that why don't you go ahead and endorse that check from Mercury Records over to me and your mom? After all, I'm sure you don't want to live a life in the limelight and deal with all that big money. I'm just a working man and we could use the money!"
"Hello, son, this is dad. I've just read that 2112 just went platinum. And uhm...this is kind of embarrassing but remember that discussion me and your mother had with you at the dinner table back in 1973? Well, I think we might've been a little tough on you. The thing is, I know how you don't have an interest in making a bunch of money, owning an expensive red Barchetta or having people say, 'Hey, there goes Alex, he's loaded with money.' So I was thinking that why don't you go ahead and endorse that check from Mercury Records over to me and your mom? After all, I'm sure you don't want to live a life in the limelight and deal with all that big money. I'm just a working man and we could use the money!"
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