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Keanu Reeves in a 1988 teen suicide drama? Yes, really. And he's devastating.
TMDB
63
IMDb
64
Rotten Tomatoes
50
Audience Score
70
Google
31
Watch

Permanent Record (1988)

forgotten 80s gemquiet devastationsmall-town grief

Overview

Drama

David Sinclair seems to have everything going for him: he's smart, musically talented, and very successful. To top off his senior year in high school, his band is trying to get a recording session. Therefore, David's suicide leaves everyone, especially his best friend and bandmate, Chris, with a lot of questions.

Flag of USUS
Content warning
high schoolwoman directorsuicidegriefloss of loved oneoregon, usa
unanswerable questionssurvivor's guiltthe masks we wearfound family in tragedy

Standout Aspects

Acting

Young Keanu proves he could always break your heart.

Direction

Silver's restraint lets silence scream louder than dialogue.

Best for:Solo: Late night when you need to feel something deeply.·Streaming: Criterion Channel energy, not Netflix party.
Heads up:Triggers: On-screen suicide; prolonged grief and survivor trauma throughout.
Marisa Silver

Director

Marisa Silver

ReleasedApr 22, 1988
Runtime1h 32m
StatusReleased

Vibe

Paceslow
Intensitymedium
Tonedark
Feelheavy
Budget$8M·Revenue$1.9M
Paramount Pictures

Top Cast

Keanu Reeves

Keanu Reeves

Chris Townsend

Alan Boyce

Alan Boyce

David Sinclair

Michelle Meyrink

Michelle Meyrink

M.G.

Jennifer Rubin

Jennifer Rubin

Lauren

Pamela Gidley

Pamela Gidley

Kim

Barry Corbin

Barry Corbin

Jim Sinclair

Kathy Baker

Kathy Baker

Martha Sinclair

Lou Reed

Lou Reed

Himself

Richard Bradford

Richard Bradford

Leo Verdell

Ask about Permanent Record

Opens AI chat

Deep Dive

Trivia, insights & behind the scenes

Cultural

Released the same year as Heathers, this was the sincere, forgotten counterpoint to that film's satirical nihilism.

Trivia

Director Marisa Silver fought the studio to keep the suicide ambiguous; test audiences hated the lack of 'reason.'

YouTube

Permanent Record - Trailer

Permanent Record - Trailer

Gallery

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