Thorkell A Ottarsson
This was a huge favorite of mine as a teenager. I have been looking for a copy of the film for the longest time and finally found one in Germany. It's strange that it's so hard to get a copy of a big cult film like this one.The film captures well the essence of punk. It is about Nicky and Pamela, two teenage NYC girls. Nicky is from the streets with a dark past and from a broken home. She has serious anger issues but is street smart and has artistic talents. Pamela is from a rich (political) family, with the security that Nicky never had but suffers because her father does not understand her. She is a great poet and full of empathy but has never dared to live her life or take a chance. They meet at a hospital and run away. Together they start a mini punk renaissance in New York CIty.Into this mix comes a radio host called Johnny LaGuardia (played by Tim Curry) who got a letter from Pamela before she ran away. When he finds out that Pamela is living on the streets he decides to use it to get a small scoop but also to fight against the politics Pamela's father stands for. Johnny LaGuardia wants NYC to stay as it is while Pamela's father wants to clean up the streets. Tim Curry is the weakest link in this film. It's hard to tell if it is because of the script or because he or the director did not understand Johnny LaGuardiahe. Tim Curry plays him as some kind of prophet while everything points to him being a self serving, fame seeking egocentric megalomaniac. Tim Curry is at least never a convincing prophet and we never get the feeling that Tim Curry is playing him sarcastically either. Not every scene works in this film and it does not hold perfectly together but it has a very rich soul and a desire for sincerity which is very contagious. It also captures well the culture of NYC in the late 70s/early 80s and the reason why punk spoke to the youths. And it has one of the best sound track ever (including The Ramones, The Cure, XTC, Lou Reed, Gary Numan, Talking Heads, Garland Jeffreys, Joe Jackson, Suzi Quatro, Roxy Music, Patti Smith and The Pretenders.) and a lot of wonderful poetry, like this one:"Dear Daddy, I am not kidnapped. I am me-napped, I am soul-napped, I am Nicky-napped, I am happy-napped.We are having our own renaissance."
sonya90028
I just saw Times Square, on DVD recently. What a blast! It's a film centered around teen rebellion, in NYC during the end of the 70s. In that era, New York's Time Square, where the film took place, was seedy and run-down. And yet it also swirled with a crackling, decadent energy.Two young teens are the main protagonists in the movie. There's Pammy Pearl, who's an insecure, affluent adolescent. Her dad, is a smarmy politician. He promises to 'sanitize' Times Square, to help further his own political ambitions. Pammy's father is oblivious, to his daughter's typical teenage emotional tribulations. So, he has her placed in a local hospital, for neurological tests.Once there, Pammy meets Nikki (brilliantly played by Robin Johnson). Nikki is a wild, orphaned teen, who has had run-ins with the law. She's considered incorrigibly rebellious, by her social worker. And she's also placed in the hospital for a neurological evaluation, by her misguided social worker. Pammy and Nikki, end-up sharing the same room at the hospital. At first, Pammy seems alarmed by Nikki, and her wacky habits (she casually eats flower petals, while Pammy looks on in bewilderment). But Pammy is secretly fascinated by Nikki, even writing poetry about Nikki in her diary. Nikki peeks at Pammy's diary one day, when Pammy's asleep. Nikki's impressed that Pammy expresses admiration for her, in her poetry.One day Nikki decides to run away from the hospital. She urges Pammy to join her. The two flee in an ambulance that they stole from the hospital parking lot, with Nikki driving recklessly through the streets of NY. Taking up residence in an abandoned warehouse, Nikki and Pammy learn to survive on their own. And they develop a friendship so intense, that it has romantic overtones.Meanwhile, Pammy's father is engaged in a frantic search for his daughter. He thinks that Pammy's been kidnapped by Nikki. Pammy keeps in contact with her father through cryptic poems, that she supplies to an all-night radio DJ in Times Square. Pammy has listened to this DJ on the radio regularly. Pammy considers his show to be a sort of catharsis, for her teenage angst. The DJ (played by the eclectic Tim Curry) thinks that Pammy is a deeply talented poet. He encourages Pammy to continue communicating with him through her poetry. He's also supportive of Pammy and Nikki's quest to be free, and live life to the fullest.Pammy and Nikki soon realize that they have to have a steady income, in order to live on their own. So, Nikki suggests that Pammy audition at a sleazy nightclub as a topless dancer, because she thinks that Pammy is 'the pretty one', in their dynamic duo. Though she's basically a shy gal, Pammy decides to go for it, and gets offered the job. All the while, Nikki is developing her skills as a rock guitarist and singer. Nikki starts to get regular gigs, playing with local punk bands. For a while, Pammy and Nikki keep a step ahead of Pammy's father, and the law, in their pursuit of a free existence. Nikki and Pammy's friendship also evolves, as Nikki reveals how vulnerable she really is, under her tough exterior. Pammy realizes that Nikki really needs her. And she remains loyal to Nikki throughout the film. Even when they have a serious rift in their relationship, due to the meddling all-night DJ.Above all, Times Square is a film about the importance of peer friendship, during adolescence. It's a stage of life fraught with ups-and downs, on the road to maturity. This film shows that teen rebellion is all a part of growing-up, no matter how misunderstood it is by parents. The performances of the two main characters, are what drive the film. Especially Robin Johnson's portrayal of Nikki. Robin infuses the character of Nikki, with a roguish, delinquent charm. And Trini Alvarez as Pammy, projects her own understated charisma.The soundtrack is also superb. It features many prominent punk bands of that era, including Patti Smith, Roxy Music, The Talking Heads, etc. The music really keeps the film juiced with an electric, anarchic energy.Times Square is truly a classic cult film. I'd consider it a must-see. Especially for those who are fond of the urban Punk music, and fashions, of the late-70s era.
astojek
Maybe I was too young and dreamy when I watched this movie, but my friends and I could not stop talking about this through high school years. It is unfortunate that Robin Johson did not pursue her career, I did recognize her in Miami Vice (she played a hooker former-hooker or something), though. On the other hand, I did not recognize Trini at all in Paulie. No offense, but I doubt that curly hair Pepsi kid would grow up to look like her.in retrospect, story may have not been that great over all, but sound track is awesome. I spent too long trying to find a used record.The movie magazines I used to read said that Robin Johson was found out by a talent agency when she was going to Brookly Vocational School or something, but it could be wrong like many other stories like how Natalie Portman was spotted at a Pizza place on Long Island.... Does anyone know for sure how Robin was scouted??? I'm too curious, now...
