WHAT WE DO IS SECRET (2007)

Written & Directed By: Roger Grossman
Story By: Roger Grossman & Michelle Baer Ghaffari
Cinematography By: Andrew Huebscher
Editor: Roger Albert & Joel Plotch

Cast: Shane West, Rick Gonzalez, Bijou Phillips, Noah Segan, Lauren German, Tina Majorino, Azura Skye, Kier O'Donnell, Leslie Grossman


The film has a infectous energy at first then it seems to have spots of energy while being rundown and wallowing in the filth. The low budget of the film helps to tell the story more authertically of a dirt poor punk band through all the seedy apartments, Bars, Clubs and locations they frequent.

The Problems with the film is you never really get to know any of the characters deeply. Even the lead one sure Lead Singer Darby is charasmatic and damaged, but you only get a glimpse maybe of why. He acts out, Does drugs has a crush on a guy who is not gay but seems to tell him what to do. Why? Why is he so self destructive for such a smart guy? is he gay, bi or straight?

Compared to Darby's charater the band seems so clean cut but why did they follow him so religiously. half of the film is taken up with performances. To show that there is a lack of story, sure the performances are good but after one or two we get the drift. so having more other then the final performance feels like padding.

Don't get me wrong, the film informed me of some information about the germs that i didn't know but then again i never really followed the band before the film, but i left the film wanting to know more. The film seemed incomplete even though it has a beginning a middle and a end.

The performances in the movie were good Shane West shines in a star making performance. Rick Gonzalez shines showing that he has range and doesn't always have to play Hood roles. The rest of the cast are noteworthy. It seems the 80's punk scene as a interesting place while also having a picturesque cast. It's a fun disposable movie that is lacking in many things and ways but at least it gives it a electricity.

It seeming to be under budgeted helps push the punk-rock factor aesthetics and approach to the filmmaking. Having to be more inventive to explain And express aspects of story and character. That maybe are left out.

GRADE: C