MovieChat Forums > Pump Up the Volume (1990) Discussion > The kid who...*spoilers*

The kid who...spoilers

posted 19 years ago by fiatlux-1
8 replies | jump to latest

*spoilers below*

...called saying he was all alone. For some reason this part of the film sticks with me.
I remember as a teen seeing it, and being able to relate some to that feeling. I also remember wondering why he would say he was all alone, and then refuse his mother's invitation to watch T.V.
Now, I think the mother was sort of cold emotionally and was only asking because she felt she "had to".

I know its just a film......but I just like picking apart scenes sometimes.
What was everyone's take on this scene??

"I offer you this rose...my heart, my soul, my love."
"Love?"
- Legend

[–] HeatherLHelgeson 19 years ago

I loved this movie. I probably wore out the copy at the video store where I rented it. However, I am not sure if you remember what it is like to be a teenager. Being alone does not seem have anything to do with family. As a teenager who was "the new kid" in two different high school, I often felt alone even though I had a great relationship with my parents. I am surprised they put up my emotional angst.

-Heather

[–] archiessugarsugar 19 years ago

is it just me or is samantha mavis really annoying? im sure it is just me but man christian slater is one foxy mother and the only think that even remotly annoyed me about this movie was her.
some of the dialogue said was really profound to me tho its funny how a movie like that can be so teenage anst driven to a point where its so real its not real if anyone understood that line i applaud u!
i have no idea what american high school is like but it sure as hell is so stereotyped that i find it hard to beleive that so much *beep* can happen in one school because of one person. in real like that radio station probly would never of been heard. i think the perents were a waste of film. i love this movie for so many more reasons tho because is does speak to me and i can imagine ppl getting driven so far that they would go to drastic measures but it was a little too far fetched at times.
just my opinion sorry if it doesnt make sense its late at night here and im just writing whats boiling out of the top on my head.
christian slater is seriously one yummy man pie. well was when he was younger. for those of u that dont no heathers its another with the lovely slater see it u wont be disapointed great story and sexy badass what more could u ask for?

[–] fearless_flyer 14 years ago

My teenage years are several years behind me but I will say this, while in high school, any invitation from my parents to do just about anything would've resulted in a flat "no". Growing up is a pain in the ass given all the issues you can have in high school. Add to the fact that you're trying your best to either fit in or stand out, you have 2 adults who are trying to tell you "no" to everything you want to do or try... If I were Malcolm, I would've done the same thing.
Most parents want the best for their kids but most are clueless as to how to help them succeed, all the while, allowing them to make their own mistakes and learn accountability. Malcolm's mom seemed to fit into that category, he already feels like an outcast, her actions weren't making it any easier. Instead of berating him for wanting to stay in his room, why not come to his room and have him tell you about his day, his music, his computer, basically whatever interests him but the key is WITHOUT JUDGING HIM.
She didn't get it in the movie and sadly, most parents don't.

A good fight is one you win!
James Woods as Eddie Dodd in True Believer

[–] jayhn1111 14 years ago

He probably did not want to talk to his parents. He wanted friends to talk to. I think the best thing he could've done was to take up smoking. It introduces you to more people in high school while you're taking smoke breaks and then he could've gradually worked his way up to drugs and alcohol and made some friends in the process. I don't mean hard drugs or anything like that ofcourse. I realize that's not the ideal thing to do, but it may have given him some relief and saved his life

[–] gabby_bm 14 years ago

It is sad, but true jayhn1111. I was a "nobody" in high school, but once you hook in with the smokers and smoke some pot, it really gets you in with a much more accepting crowd- accepting because you are justification for their actions just as they are justification for yours. But once you get into circles, you get connected and discover how to deal with different people and gain some social insights in how to communicate and hear how other folks' lives suck as well.

The day after my pants caught on fire at the kegger in the woods, I was Mr. Popularity! It helped that I was able to laugh at myself with them, of course.

Some days, you just can't get rid of a bomb! (Batman 1966)

[–] fiatlux-1 12 years ago

I know what its like to be that alone.
But at least this kid had his parents' attention! He came off as foolish in a way, I mean its not like his parents ignored him 100%....they did want him to come hang out with them.
Teenagers think everything in their lives is forever, I know, I was like that.

"I'd say this cloud is Cumulo Nimbus."
"Didn't he discover America?"
"Penfold, shush."

[–] novastar_6 12 years ago

I think most teenagers who kill themselves think they are alone, they either think nobody's going to care they're gone or sees it as a final 'this will show them'.

[–] elay2433 11 years ago

Regarding the original post: I don't know what made him feel alone, and I didn't really care to speculate. He was alone. Whether his external reality reflected that or not, it was what the character believed (internally). The actor who played Malcolm did an amazing job in that scene. It still comes back to me from time to time, and I saw it when it came out.