Review: “The Dirties”

Kevin Smith proclaims this to be “the most important movie you will see all year”. I certainly don’t disagree with that.

There is a segment in Michael Moore’s Bowling for Columbine that I always reference when in a discussion about school shootings. It was a package of politicians and pundits, finger-pointing and tossing around blame for these events. Where? At musicians like Marilyn Manson, cartoonists like Matt Stone and filmmakers like the Wachowskis. It’s not the stress of bullying, the heavy emotions of growing up or the ease of access to guns. It’s Keanu Reeves dressed in black that did the kids wrong! Of course.

The Dirties successfully presents a narrative that’s as close to the truth as we’ve ever gotten.

Two friends, Matt and Owen, are making a movie for their high school film class. It’s planned as part homage to their favorite films, part outlet for their own personal anger and frustrations. Everything unfolds in a faux documentary style, following the two boys’ exploits. The movie they create — named after the nickname they’ve given to their real life bullies — is a Tarantino-esque revenge fantasy, themselves cast as the heroes.

Now, when presented with this, some teachers and parents might overreact. When in middle school, I made a mock crime scene video for class sometime after Columbine. My assistant principal made me feel as though something so clearly innocent and make believe was a violently inappropriate cry for attention. I was just enthusiastic about video and wanted to share this with others. I believe Matt shared this goal. Movie posters litter his walls, and outlandish lines of dialogue make up most of his conversations. His vision of stylistic, cathartic bloodshed for his flick might be a tad on the nose, but remember, it was just supposed to be a movie. His class screening goes about as well as mine did, with awkwardness, odd stares and teasing throughout. I’d be willing to bet that his project had the most effort put into it.

As Matt begins to shift gears and ponder actual vengeance, there are moments where our leads review previously shown footage, and offer commentary — they are as much voyeurs to their situation as the audience is. We are witness to a movie documenting itself at times, morphing along with the changes in the characters. Even though this is fiction, it’s fascinating to know that Matt has edited most of what we are watching, like a montage showing the divide between him and his friend. He made that for US. He wants us, the movie audience, to know what happened and why. This is not a madman’s press kit or a manifesto, but a poor kid’s effort to be understood. This is the real tragedy of The Dirties.

When Matt begins to crawl into himself and ponder the possibility of bringing his fantasy into reality, Owen chooses something different; he boldly goes out of his comfort zone and begins to make friends with some of the more popular students. Turns out they’re humans, too. The two friends go on different paths and slowly grow apart. Extremely likable and creative, Matt could’ve found other film enthusiasts at his school. Owen didn’t have to be his only shoulder to lean on.

I bet Matt watched Bowling for Columbine. What would his thoughts be on Joe Lieberman blaming South Park? Something sarcastic and witty, I suspect. This is a kid that finds the phrase “it gets better” to be laughable. Why ISN’T he popular?

5/5