SLC Punk!

Discussion about structure and aesthetics in a film are relative to the constructions that make up its fictional characteristics. SLC Punk has fictional elements certainly, but also has ties elsewhere.

Documentary is rooted in the idea of image as truth and story as nothing more than a recorder's basic objective. While SLC Punk! is not as documentary oriented in recording story as films like Il Posto or others, it has an aesthetic that defies easy criticism because its whole point is to be nothing more than an extended memory of early wild days and growng pains.

Thus the question of whether the film feels sincere or is edgy enough becomes relevant because all the characters are suppose to exist as worthy interpretations of disgruntled youth. The film has a structure of being a series of parties and misadventures, but it does have poignant moments in between all the scenes that don't exhibit cheap sentimentality.

The film has an edge to it that could exhibit comparisons to other indie films like Trainspotting, but the film doesn't wallow in grunginess to just do it, but has points that speak to the advent of maturity for a rebellious youth. The film does make aesthetic decisions to get to this point, but the fact is that it doesn't try to heavy hand the material or make points beyond the characters basic growing up. The ending is sad and climactic but that doesn't make it fictional because the teary moments are rooted in pain and flavored with as much abrasiveness as any other part of the film.