Pump Up the Volume
Tags: cult, philosophical

Plot synopsis:
Mark Hunter (Christian Slater) is an intelligent but shy teenager who has just moved to Arizona from the East Coast. Mark has inner demons he has a hard time dealing with. Mark's father, Brian Hunter (Scott Paulin), who runs the school district, and his mother, Marla Hunter (Mimi Kennedy), try to help him but only push him away.His parents give him a short-wave radio so he can talk to his pals back east, but instead he sets up shop as angry pirate deejay Hard Harry. His broadcasts consist of music, obscenity, cynical observations, reading letters, and call-ins. His listeners include students of Hubert Humphrey high school, and a teacher, Ms. Emerson (Ellen Greene).The school is run by corrupt principal Loretta Creswood (Annie Ross), who weeds out underachieving kids to keep the school's SAT scores high as false testimony to her competence. By exposing hard truths, Harry becomes a reluctant hero to all the students in the school.Nora Diniro (Samantha Mathis), whose letters to Harry's show have been read on the air many times, learns his real identity but keeps his secret. Harry and Nora awkwardly form a tentative relationship.Caller Malcolm Kaiser (Anthony Lucero) wants to commit suicide and Harry does little to talk him out of it. When Malcolm actually kills himself, Harry feels bad that he didn't do anything to help him. He talks openly to his audience about being a teenager and suicidal feelings.Due to Malcolm's death and Harry-inspired chaos breaking out at the school, the FCC is called in to shut down the station. As they get closer to discovering his location, Harry loads his transmitter into a vehicle and continues to broadcast on the move.Harry's dad finally learns from Ms. Emerson about Miss Creswood's shady actions, and suspends her.When the FCC rolls up to arrest Harry and take him away, he tells his listeners not to give up, to live, and to "talk hard". Inspired by his example to tell the truth no matter how ugly it is, some students start their own pirate radio stations.(some info from summary by Denise P. Meyer and comment by jeffman52001)

Review: I loved this filmWhen I was 17 I first saw the second half of this movie on TV, the next day I scoured my local video shops to buy the film so that I could watch the first half.I know that sounds a little sad but I really felt that at the time this film was spot on.
This film had the emotions just about right.I now see its faults but I still feel that it is an excellent movie to its targeted age group, everyone who ever wanted to "rise up in the cafeteria and stab them (teachers) with your plastic fork".I could fill this review with quotes, the speech on why teen suicide is a bad idea is up there with the "Am I funny?" scene in goodfella's.
In my humble opinion this film is at the top of the teen-flick chart alongside Heathers.Samantha Mathis makes an intriguing leading lady, she really gets her character spot on.
Aside from a couple of things that make it dated (I'm referring mainly to the opening credit sequence and the way some of the characters dress...mulletts WERE acceptable back then), the message remains the same and I think that's what has made this movie stand the test of time.
I fell in love with it there and then and over the years I've owned 5 separate copies.Not just because of the unbelievably brilliant soundtrack, not just because of the real and relate-able characters, not just because of the engaging and original plot, but because I still feel now, what I first felt when I saw the film.
Sometimes everyone feels that they're alone and it takes another voice, one coming from a someone you might not even ever have met reminding you that everyone feels that crushing loneliness and only you can change that.Even now that I'm nearing my mid-twenties and every time I watch this film I want to 'Rise up in the cafeteria' and 'stab my teachers with a plastic fork.' Being a teenager sucks, its probably the most free time of your life, but everything from parents, to homework, to hormones prevents most from truly enjoying the experience.I want every teenager to watch this film, I want every person who looks back on their teen years with regret to watch this film, I want every person who's forgotten what its like to be a teenager to watch this film.
Slater gained much respect from me for his terrific performance is Hard Harry, a new kid at a school where the staff don't seem to care about the students, Harry runs a pirate radio station as an anonymous student at the high school, and shares his feelings about the school, he gains a large following of students who feel the same way he does, but then trouble starts.
While the film clearly made the latter out to be the "bad guy," a mature person might look beyond the pointed message and see the important issues on both sides -->  Does media come from culture and speak truth, having the responsibility to honestly represent "reality," or does media influence culture and thus should it responsibly rise above mediocrity, challenging people to something higher in life?
Upon viewing the film for the first time as a ten-years-old kid back when it was released in cinemas, I remember feeling profoundly moved by the main lead and the events his character sets in motion.
This genuine masterpiece doesn't only teach us about leadership and the ability of one individual to make a difference in the world; it is also a triumph of the human spirit in general and of the youth over decadent grown-up ideas specifically.The story presents us Mark Hunter (a then young and extremely talented Christian Slater), a teenage high school student that moves with his parents from the big city to the suburbs, when his father gets a new job as an educational consultant for a middle-America region.
Also look out for a very very young Seth Green (Austin Powers, Without a Paddle) as one of the students that helps spread Harry's tapes across the school.On a personal note, I have to say that I hold credit to this movie for a lot of who I am in my grown-up life.
I've seen Pump a few times but recently got the DVD and showed it to an 18 year old last night...the film has great resonances for me of the 60s generation and it still has power for the youth of today...amazingly, since they mainly seem motivated by IT, gadgets and money.All the performances were first rate and this film also introduces Leonard Cohen to a new generation.
I'm sure schools today are worse then Hubert Humphrey high portrayed in the film...this was before Columbine...but you can see the fertile ground for the violence to follow.This is one of my all time favorite 'teen flicks' and I recommend it to all who want to see social and political relevance in movies..
I hope there are more good movie roles to come for both of them.Lastly, I think the DVD release could really use some special features, like audio commentary by the director, Slater and Mathis.
And in doing so he goes from a quite, shy, confused out of place teenager to a strong bold lay it all on the line young adult.Slater has a reserved place in my retro nostalgic memories and I salute him and Mathis for the performance that will forever remind me how awesome young love was and the hope I have that all will experience it in whatever form at at whatever age.
Obviously, the movie deals with many things - namely free speech - but it's mainly great to see someone pushing the limits, especially in an era of media concentration.Anyway, "Pump Up the Volume" is a movie that you're sure to like.
My stepmother, a true member of the why bother generation of the 80s decided that now that I was entering High School, it was time for me to watch the movies that really counted way back when.
His show became pop among the students in his high school because he spoke up the pain and suffer to be a teen, the rage and untrust against the adults, and the very truth no one want talk about:we are not made perfect, living a perfect life is boring.Day by day, the teachers and Miss principle got more angry about the Harry guy, while Harry and his listeners went farer.
With Christian Slater perfect as an angry DJ by night and a shy kid by day, the movie runs on passion and a great soundtrack (with songs ranging from Everybody Knows to Dad I'm in Jail), and you totally believe every unlikely second, as kids consistently outwit remarkably stupid and cartoonish adults and start a movement to ...It's unclear what the agenda is, beyond free speech and being true to yourself, but it doesn't really matter.
For one, the insight of Hard Harry is often times hilarious, and the music he played on his pirate radio station literally foreshadows the ends of the hair metal days and the beginning of grunge.
I thought the movie ended on an inconclusive but appropriate note, and without being too over the top.If there was one thing I would have liked to have seen added to this film, it would have been more in the beginning about Christian Slater's character building the radio station.
This movie was perfect for the 90's.While I have issues with some of the sub-plots and 2D characters, I felt it successfully illustrated the problems teenagers have, while allowing newer concepts that would have never made it to a Hollywood screen marketed towards teens during the 80's (homosexuality, and a more seriously portrayed "alternative" character) to be properly addressed.
Oddly enough I became less closed minded about gender issues and became goth several years after first seeing this movie.I've seen most of Slaters films, and several of Mathis.
Slater's role in this movie was excellent, and certainly one of his best.I also appreciated the way they presented the voice that freedom of speech can take.
I happen to like the movie a lot, but I can see how some might find it silly or stereotypical in places, or just not their cup of tea.To me, though, this film does a great job of touching on a lot of issues in its 95 minutes.
This movie was one of the few that didn't engage in the ritual glorification of high school life, nor the woe-is-me theme, but acknowledged high school as a discreet period that comes to an end, and shows an almost moby-dick like obsession with Hard Harry.On the other hand, after watching it again, many of the adult characters had their "cardboard moments" whose acting (or lack of acting) slightly stretched the limits of believability.The only other drawback was that some people take it just a little too seriously-- ironic because that was always what Christian Slater's character was trying to avoid...All in all, a good film I was happy to see again after so many years-- but i place it behind Heathers.-Dean.
The cast is great, with Christian Slater as Hard Harry/Mark Hunter(one more reason to see this film)and Samantha Mathis as Nora Dinero, the girl that finds out Hard Harry's true idenity.
Moyle gets an electrifying performance from Christian Slater (arguably his best ever) and a young Samantha Mathis is perfect as his semi-goth love interest.
The high school is a teenage version of Stepford and Mark's radio program begins to agitate the students who in turn assert their individuality, abet collectively.Moyle's film is honest in that it does not provide easy answers so much as offering challenges to his target audience.
Christian Slater does well with a good script in this smart teen-movie.
I call it a movie and not a film because there are certain liberties taken, and it never tries to pass itself off as something it isn't, it's good entertainment with a point about free-speech to boot.Slater plays a nerd, he broadcasts a pirate radio show from home, unbeknown to his family and school, and everyone else who takes offence when listening (namley adults/authority figures who don't "get it").
It takes off when he starts getting noticed, then things spiral out of control.Not a bad drama, it has an excellent soundtrack, likable characters, and look out for a scene in the library where Slater picks up the book "How to talk dirty and influence people", this is Lenny Bruce's autobiography, and is a must for all culture junkies/comedy fans; Bruce essentially died for opening his mouth, he was hounded by police and the Government because he dared to use swear words in his live act: think about this next time you swear in public and be thankful Lenny died so we can say what we please.Pump Up The Volume was one from my teenage years, but its still worth a watch..
I think Pump Up The Volume was perhaps the complete antithesis of fun teen movies like a lot of the John Hughes comedies that came out in the 80's.
The story centers around his duo-life as a high school student and the pirate radio DJ, Happy Harry Hard-On. As the popularity of his show increases, so do the consequences and results of his well-intentioned efforts to expose the hypocrisy within his school, which shakes up his community.This was the character Christian Slater was born to play.
Christian Slater plays a shy yet disgruntled teenager who runs a pirate radio station which he uses to complain about his corruptly run high school in this captivating comedy from 'Empire Records' director Allan Moyle.
Things take a dark turn when a troubled teenage listener commits suicide, and the authorities become eager to shut down his illegal broadcasts.Smart and appealing film has a fine performance from Christian Slater, that really speaks to the hearts and minds of teenagers, and still rings true.
It has the same message, but this time Slater's character is the voice of reason who the audience can side with, instead of an agent of destruction...Many of the same themes are touched upon in the two films; how hard it is to be an adolescent when you feel like you're being disenfranchised, and the sense of feeling shepherded into the uniform lines of conformity that produce the obedient workers of the future.
Either way, we are listening, and the power of speech plays on in the movie, Pump Up The Volume.And Pink Floyd said it best, "For millions of years mankind lived just like the animals.
'Cause I also remember barely talking to my parents for weeks after I saw it.Today I still remember it as the ultimate teen flick, perfectly describing teenage frustration and depression like only The Breakfast Club had done before it.Christian Slater does his best role ever as the introvert Mark Hunter.
This movie tries to shout the desperation of a whole class of people who just do not want to follow community standards, who do not want to follow community standards, who want to be themselves regardless of all standards.It is, in my opinion, not a teen movie, because the subject of the movie is not so much the so-called "high school hierarchy" among teens that has been described at length in most of the "teen movies" but much more movie about the relationship between the youngs/teens and their environment (family, schools, university, etc) that try to restrain these youngs, regardless of their academics, in their life, behavior, relationship ; forcing on them their own beliefs - religious, behavioral - without giving any thought on evolution of society, desperately wanting to reproduce a way of living instead of exploring new ideas and new thoughts.and Pump up the VOlume does a very good job at depicting all this, serving by a great Slater and a good Mathis.
the best movie i have ever seen, anyone who can not relate is just to old to understand or remember what it was like to be a teen.
This is a great flick about high school angst finding its outlet in a pirate radio personality, Happy Harry Hard on.
It certainly was in my teen years.Allan Moyles' outstanding script combined with exceptional acting from Slater and Mathis beautifully portrays the real anxiety and fears of trying to live up to everyone's expectations through your teenage years.The dialogue, music and Arizona back drops truly touches deep into your soul, forcing you to question the continual pressures that succumb the youth of today.If you're aged 14 - 18 then rent this film asap as I promise it will change your life for ever.
The speeches Slater gives at some parts of the movie are just great and it really wants to make you get your own pirate radio station.
One of the best films's of its type, Pump up the Volume shows that we are all alone, yet we all have a voice to be speak out with.I love the film, and I think I get the message: Be your self, not a stereotype.TALK HARD!.
Hard-on Harry, Slater's angry-young-man DJ, is one of the great teen characters in film history.
One think i've learned from this movie is that you can often identify with a movie or song even if your brain doesn't completely agree.For one this is the only movie i 've ever felt i had to share my thoughts with perfect strangers on the web.I won't even try to summarize  it as this is what everyone seems to be doing.Anyway i first saw it as a teenager and of course it was love at first sight.I won't try to convince anyone else,talking about Slater or the story,which has many faults.But this exactly what amazes even myself.I've watched since hundreds of movies,enough for me to be able to say that i can't be satisfied any more by a couple of good perfomances and a very good soundtrack,even with today's standards.But for some reason i still love this movie.So most of the characters(especially the adults)are 2-dimensional,there are too many sub-plots,some of which don't work and generally speaking this movie could have been much bolder but for some ****ing reason this movie makes much more sense to me than othes,which i might have found to be more complete.So be it!.
I usually don't watch teenage flicks but when i saw this one i changed my mind.The plot is very new nothing you ever watched before and the actors are doing an excellent job and another great thing is the music which is always playing in the background.If you ask me this film is much better then the blockbusters like " American pie ".So please watch this one not some chumpy new s***..
I saw the film two weeks ago for the first time, first just because of Christian Slater, but I really LOVE it!!!
Christian Slater provides us with an excellent role as Happy Hard Harry and this film is a must see for everyone..
Already a cult classic, Pump Up the Volume is a great film about a shy teenager in a new town who comes alive at night to broadcast music he loves (which is totally new to the area) and DJ on a shortwave radio.
The movie contains Christian Slater's best performance to date as a shy teen who comes alive at night as a the anonymous host of a one-man illegal radio station, harassing the corrupt officials of his high school.
"Pump Up the Volume" is an ignoble and obvious fabrication which tells of a bookish new student (Slater) at an Arizona high school who is tongue-tied on campus by day but articulate by night while operating a pirate radio station from his basement under the pseudonym "Hard Harry".
Great Christian Slater movie on teen rebellion.
With a performance like Slater's and one of the best soundtracks of all time, it is an endlessly enjoyable high school farce that you'll be quoting for years.