The Living End (film)

The Living End is a 1992 film by Gregg Araki. Described by some critics as a "gay Thelma and Louise," the film is an early entry in the New Queer Cinema genre. The Living End was nominated for a Grand Jury Prize at the Sundance Film Festival in 1992.

Plot summary

Luke is a restless and reckless drifter and Jon is a relatively timid and pessimistic movie critic. Both are gay and HIV positive. After an unconventional meeting, and after Luke kills a homophobic police officer, they go on a road trip with the motto "Fuck everything."

Cast

• Mike Dytri as Luke, a drifter
• Craig Gilmore as Jon, a movie critic
• Mark Finch as Doctor
• Mary Woronov as Daisy
• Johanna Went as Fern
• Darcy Marta as Darcy
• Scot Goetz as Peter
• Bretton Vail as Ken
• Nicole Dillenberg as Barbie
• Stephen Holman and Magie Song as the 7-11 Couple
• Peter Lanigan, Jon Gerrans and Jack Kofman as Three Stooges
• Chris Mabli as a Neo Nazi
• Michael Now as Tarzan
• Michael Haynes as Jane
• Peter Grame as Gus
• Craig Lee and Torie Chickering as the arguing couple at Ralph's
• Jordan Beswick as Buddhist
• Paul Bartel as Twister Master

Music

The film's soundtrack is mostly industrial, post punk and shoegazing music. Many references to bands and their members are made throughout the film. Joy Division's Ian Curtis is mentioned, along with Dead Can Dance, Echo and the Bunnymen and others. A Nine Inch Nails sticker is on the dashboard of Jon's car. The film's title comes from a song by The Jesus and Mary Chain, and a cover version of the JAMC song is performed by Wax Trax! Records artists Braindead Soundmachine during the film's credits. Early in the movie, Luke is seen wearing a JAMC shirt. Braindead Soundmachine guitarist Cole Coonce is credited with scoring the film's original music.

External links

• The Living End on Rottentomatoes.com