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Permanent Record

Play trailer Poster for Permanent Record PG-13 Released Apr 22, 1988 1h 31m Drama Play Trailer Watchlist
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47% Tomatometer 15 Reviews 69% Popcornmeter 2,500+ Ratings
High school student David (Alan Boyce) appears to be totally happy, as well as bright, funny and well-liked. However, the stress from his high expectations leads him to commit suicide. David's best friend, Chris (Keanu Reeves), a shy loner, struggles to deal with the death, and starts talking to David's girlfriend, Lauren (Jennifer Rubin). Chris decides to continue a number of David's projects, including the school's musical production, although he soon feels the heightened pressure as well.
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Permanent Record

Critics Reviews

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Variety Staff Variety Pic is populated by profoundly unrewarding characters doing and saying utterly uninteresting things. Mar 26, 2009 Full Review Tom Charity Time Out A well-intentioned study of high-school kids coping (and not coping) with the pressures of adolescence, its naturalistic style only makes the more overt dramatic elements look forced and clichd. Jun 24, 2006 Full Review Walter Goodman New York Times The implacable earnestness laid on by the script, which it took three people to put together, is not relieved by the nonstop songs, from rock-and-roll to Gilbert and Sullivan. May 21, 2003 Full Review Rene Jordan El Nuevo Herald (Miami) Permanent Record is a long, tearful and sickly wake with a very disturbing point of view. [Full review in Spanish] Jul 7, 2022 Full Review Rob Gonsalves Rob's Movie Vault This isn't much more than a conscientious TV-movie drama, with a rather maudlin climax, but the performances are solid... Rated: B Apr 9, 2007 Full Review Emanuel Levy EmanuelLevy.Com Rated: 2/5 Aug 11, 2005 Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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Russell S Its my favorite Keanu Reeves movie enough said Rated 5 out of 5 stars 10/19/23 Full Review Mickey W Very good, sad story of high school life Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars 12/03/22 Full Review Audience Member This moved me. Not perfect, but an immensely sincere and incredibly well handled journey through the feelings of losing someone to suicide, especially in highschool. There may be a few awkwardly written/acted moments (like maybe literally one or two) but overall this movie really hits where it needs to. It's also not overly dour, I didn't feel like it was relentless or manipulative in its sadness, it has a breath to it. It's engaging as well as heartbreaking, ultimately leading to a very hopeful and life giving end result. I've never seen Alan Boyce in anything before this but his portrayal is amazing and really makes you care about the character and understand his internal state just enough so you really feel the loss. In fact I've never seen anyone in this besides Keanu of course, who is also very good. But everyone actually feels like real kids in this, and their perspectives round out very well. Anyway, watch this movie. Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars 02/14/23 Full Review Audience Member Keanu Reeves, Suicide, and a Lou Reed cameo what more do I need to say. Rated 4 out of 5 stars 02/12/23 Full Review Audience Member I saw this 25 years ago and remember it to this day. Memorable and profound. Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars 02/23/23 Full Review Audience Member Felt more like an after school special! Rated 2 out of 5 stars 01/21/23 Full Review Read all reviews
Permanent Record

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Permanent Record

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Movie Info

Synopsis High school student David (Alan Boyce) appears to be totally happy, as well as bright, funny and well-liked. However, the stress from his high expectations leads him to commit suicide. David's best friend, Chris (Keanu Reeves), a shy loner, struggles to deal with the death, and starts talking to David's girlfriend, Lauren (Jennifer Rubin). Chris decides to continue a number of David's projects, including the school's musical production, although he soon feels the heightened pressure as well.
Director
Marisa Silver
Producer
Frank Mancuso Jr.
Screenwriter
Jarre Fees, Alice Liddle, Larry Ketron
Distributor
Paramount Pictures
Production Co
Paramount Pictures
Rating
PG-13
Genre
Drama
Original Language
English
Release Date (Theaters)
Apr 22, 1988, Wide
Release Date (Streaming)
Jan 5, 2017
Box Office (Gross USA)
$1.6M
Runtime
1h 31m
Sound Mix
Stereo, Surround
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