SubUrbia Synopsis & Review: Plot Summary

🎯 Quick Overview

😅 Plot Summary – Badly Explained

A bunch of suburban layabouts get jealous of their rockstar friend and contemplate the meaning of life while harassing the local convenience store owner; existential dread ensues.

🍿 SubUrbia: Detailed Plot Synopsis

Burnfield and the Corner

The film is set in the fictional suburban town of Burnfield, USA, where a group of young adults spends their time hanging out at a convenience store parking lot, affectionately known as “the corner.” This group includes Jeff, a college dropout grappling with his future; Tim, a former Air Force member with a chip on his shoulder; Buff, a perpetually stoned pizza delivery guy; and Sooze, an aspiring performance artist with dreams of escaping Burnfield.

Pony’s Return

The monotony of their existence is disrupted by the return of Pony, a former high school friend who has achieved fame as a pop star. Pony’s arrival in a limousine, accompanied by his publicist Erica, sparks a mixture of excitement, jealousy, and resentment among the group. They reminisce about the past while confronting the stark contrast between Pony’s success and their own stagnant lives. The night unfolds as a series of conversations and interactions, highlighting their individual struggles and disillusionment.

Confrontations and Revelations

As the night progresses, tensions rise within the group. Jeff grapples with his feelings of inadequacy and his wavering relationship with Sooze, who is determined to leave for New York. Tim’s anger and frustration boil over, leading to confrontations with Nazeer, the Pakistani convenience store owner, reflecting the underlying prejudices within their suburban community. Buff’s carefree demeanor masks a deeper sense of aimlessness, while Bee-Bee, Sooze’s friend and a recovering alcoholic, struggles with her inner demons.

⚠️ Spoilers and Ending Explained

🎬 Cast & Characters

• Jeff (Giovanni Ribisi): A college dropout grappling with his uncertain future and relationship, spending his time hanging out with friends at the local convenience store.
• Buff (Steve Zahn): A carefree stoner who works at a pizza joint and provides comic relief while seemingly oblivious to the group’s existential anxieties.
• Tim (Nicky Katt): An angry and disillusioned ex-military man struggling with his lost potential and expressing his frustration through cynicism and aggression.
• Sooze (Amie Carey): An aspiring performance artist yearning to escape the confines of suburbia and pursue her artistic ambitions in New York City.
• Pony (Jayce Bartok): A former high school friend who achieved rock star status, returning to his hometown and stirring up mixed feelings among his old companions.
• Nazeer Choudhury (Ajay Naidu): The Pakistani convenience store owner who serves as an outsider perspective on the group’s aimlessness and wasted opportunities.
• Erica (Parker Posey): Pony’s sharp and worldly manager, representing the allure and potential superficiality of the entertainment industry.

💬 Memorable Quotes

• Jeff: “Nothing ever changes, man. Fifty years from now we’re all gonna be dead.” – Jeff expresses his frustration with the monotonous and seemingly pointless existence in their suburban town.
• Jeff: “It’s all so fucking futile.” – Jeff’s bleak outlook on life and the seeming meaninglessness of their actions.
• Tim: “If it’s all so fucking futile, what the fuck are you so fucking upset about, fuckhead?” – Tim’s response to Jeff’s existential angst, questioning why he is bothered if life is meaningless.
• Nazeer Choudhury: “You throw it all away!” – Nazeer’s frustrated outburst at the group, highlighting their wasted potential and lack of appreciation for their opportunities.

💰Box Office

• Budget: $2,500,000
• Domestic Gross: $656,747
• Worldwide Gross: $656,747

💥 SubUrbia Reviews

Personal Review

I first watched SubUrbia when I was feeling lost and directionless, much like the characters in the movie. I was struck by how raw and honest it felt. It perfectly captured the feeling of being stuck in a dead-end town, surrounded by friends who are equally adrift. The scene where Jeff rants about the futility of life resonated with me deeply, because I found the themes to be so relatable at that point in my life. Even though it’s a bleak film, it also felt strangely comforting to know that others have felt this way too. I can honestly say SubUrbia has become one of my favorite films.

• Who would enjoy:
  • “Fans of Richard Linklater’s other films like ‘Dazed and Confused’ and ‘Slacker'”
  • “Viewers interested in coming-of-age stories with a darker, more realistic edge”
  • “Those who appreciate character-driven narratives and dialogue-heavy films”
  • “Individuals who enjoy independent films exploring themes of suburban alienation and existential angst”
• Content warnings ⚠:
  • “Strong language”
  • “Drug and alcohol use”
  • “Mature themes”
  • “Brief male nudity”
  • “Suicide”

Professional Reviews

• The Film Stage: “Linklater captures the ennui of suburban life with unflinching honesty. The film is a poignant reflection on wasted potential and the struggle to find meaning in a seemingly stagnant environment. Giovanni Ribisi and Nicky Katt deliver powerful performances, making this a must-see for fans of indie drama.
• Tubefilter.com: “The film provides a bleak yet relatable portrayal of youth disaffection, making it a cult classic. The raw dialogue and realistic characters resonate with audiences who have experienced the frustrations of suburban life and the search for identity.
• N/A: “Linklater doesn’t shy away from showing the darker side of suburban boredom. While the film may be uncomfortable to watch at times, it’s a powerful and thought-provoking exploration of disillusionment and the challenges of growing up.

Audience Reactions

The realistic portrayal of young adults struggling with their identities really hit home for many viewers.: Viewers praised the film’s raw honesty and relatable characters, finding it a poignant reflection of suburban life and the challenges of growing up.

Viewers appreciated the film’s ability to capture the ennui and disillusionment of suburban youth.: The film sparked conversation about the struggles of finding purpose and meaning in a seemingly stagnant environment.

Overall Consensus: SubUrbia is a thought-provoking and honest portrayal of suburban youth, appreciated for its realism and relatable characters, making it a cult classic for those who have experienced similar feelings of disillusionment.

Awards

🛠️ Behind the Scenes

• “The film is based on a play by Eric Bogosian, who also wrote the screenplay.”
• “Director Richard Linklater is known for his naturalistic style and focus on dialogue, which suited the play’s conversational nature.”
• “Sonic Youth wrote ‘Sunday’ for this film in 1996. A re-recorded version of this song appears on their 1998 album ‘A Thousand Leaves.'”

🖥️ How to Watch SubUrbia?

As of [today’s date], ‘SubUrbia’ is available for purchase or rental on various platforms such as Prime Video, Apple TV, Google Play Movies, and Vudu. Availability may vary by region, so check your local listings. Check JustWatch for most up-to-date streaming availability.

🎥 Similar Movies

If you enjoyed SubUrbia, you might like these similar films:

• Dazed and Confused (1993): Also directed by Richard Linklater, it captures the aimless wandering and social dynamics of youth, though with a lighter, more nostalgic tone.
• Clerks (1994): Presents a similarly cynical and humorous view of dead-end jobs and the lives of slackers.
• Reality Bites (1994): Explores the anxieties and uncertainties of young adults entering the real world in the 1990s.
• Mid90s (2018): A modern coming-of-age story set in the 90’s, capturing a similar sense of youthful disillusionment and the search for belonging.

🛒 SubUrbia Related Products

• Dazed and Confused (Criterion Collection) [Blu-ray]: From the same director Richard Linklater, this Criterion Collection release is a must-have for fans. With insightful extras and a high-quality transfer, it’s the perfect companion piece to SubUrbia.
• Richard Linklater: Last Man Standing: This book by Rob Stone delves into the career of one of America’s most influential filmmakers. Offers an in-depth look at his unique style and vision, from Slacker to SubUrbia and beyond.
• Clerks [Blu-ray]: Often compared to SubUrbia, Kevin Smith’s Clerks explores similar themes of young adulthood and boredom. This Blu-ray edition offers a crisp visual experience and bonus content for die-hard fans.
• Slacker: An earlier film by Richard Linklater, offering a series of loosely linked vignettes. A must see for anyone interested in Richard Linklater, or indie films.

🎧 Soundtrack

SubUrbia features a captivating soundtrack that enhances the movie’s atmosphere and emotional impact. Here are some notable tracks:

• “Town Without Pity” – performed by Gene Pitney
• “Sunday” – performed by Sonic Youth

You can find the complete soundtrack on Amazon Music and Apple Music.

🤨 FAQ

🔥 Bonus Content

One of the greatest scenes from one of the greatest movies

Want to see what makes SubUrbia so great? This scene perfectly captures the movie’s essence with amazing acting from Ribisi, Posey and Zahn. I think it’s a must-watch!

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