Product Details

• Actors: Alan Boyce, Keanu Reeves, Pamela Gidley, Michael Elgart, Jennifer Rubin
• Directors: Marisa Silver
• Writers: Alice Liddle, Jarre Fees, Larry Ketron
• Producers: Frank Mancuso Jr., Herb Rabinowitz, Marty Hornstein
• Format: Closed-captioned, Color, NTSC
• Rated: PG-13 (Parental Guidance Suggested)
• Number of tapes: 1
• Studio: Paramount Home Video
• VHS Release Date: November 9, 1988
• Run Time: 91 minutes
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (27 customer reviews)
• ASIN: 6301133412
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #307,026 in Movies & TV (See Top 100 in Movies & TV)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

38 of 43 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars "DON'T ASK YOURSELF THAT. I TRIED & THERE AIN'T NO ANSWER.", May 21, 2001

By 

Soaring Heart - See all my reviews

This review is from: Permanent Record (VHS Tape)

"PERMANENT RECORD" is the story of how a suicide affects OTHER peoples' lives. The first time I viewed this I kept trying to figure out WHY David Sinclair (Alan Boyce) killed himself. That is not the focus of the film and is barely even touched upon. I like countless other viewers I'm sure STILL really wanted to know WHY a bright, attractive, loving, popular, talented young man with EVERYTHING going for him would kill himself. We just aren't supposed to understand. LET GO OF THE "WHY?!" (very hard I know if you are at all like me! I want to know Why about Everything! Frustrating indeed!) and you will really enjoy this Amazing movie about Remembering but Moving On.

PERMANENT RECORD opens at the ocean cliffs with all the teens hanging out together. I could sense the closeness of the entire group: David, Chris (Keanu Reeves), MG (Michelle Meyrink), Kim (Pam Gidley), and Lauren (Jennifer Rubin) and others from the school--no words needed. This movie contains one of the best casts I've ever come across; acting so superb it dominates all other movie components. Everyone was fantastic; however, Chris (Keanu) and Lauren (Jennifer) give the best performances humanly possible in my humble opinion.

PERMANENT RECORD is about LIFE. (Ironic isn't it? Hmmmmm...) It's about fun and friendship, music and laughter, fear and anxiety, tension and tragedy, confusion and guilt, grief and anger, helplessness and regretfulness, acceptance and nostalgia, and finally after all those emotions have been taken to the extreme and exhausted, Then and ONLY THEN can you FINALLY MOVE ON...never forgetting though, mind you...just accepting--ACCEPTING IS SO HARD!!! I know but you can do it. You must. You must.

Chris and David's relationship was very strong and deep but I think Chris doesn't realize how much he really loved David until he was gone--maybe that is the point. And although we don't see what happens to the others left behind, it is definitely implied, to me anyway, that they go on to become Extraordinary because of the Experience. Suffering is Very Painful but a necessary part of life that will make you stronger, you'll see. It may also inspire you to do Great things once the raging, torrential, bitter storm clouds have finally...Finally...Passed.

I HIGHLY RECOMMEND THIS MOVIE. PERMANENT RECORD is wonderful from start to finish and the ending couldn't have been better. The title of the movie says it all. It will leave a "Permanent Record" in your mind and heart that will not be soon forgotten. Please pay close attention to the song playing at the ending/credits. "Wishing on Another Lucky Star."

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Another awesome movie about suicide that I highly recommmend, maybe even more than this (!) is "TRAGEDY" with Molly Ringwald, River Phoenix, Paul Sorvino, Ellen Burstyn and Marsha Mason. Get your hands on both of these movies and go through every emotion you have inside you...

Suicide isn't the answer.

Kellye Joy

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Thout provoking, June 14, 2004

By 

R. Hunt "Rhonda" (Poplarville, MS United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Permanent Record [VHS] (VHS Tape)

I saw the movie in 1989, and it really left a lasting impression on me. Too many movies glamorize suicide. This one shows the aftermath and the pain that is caused for those left behind. I think it should be shown at all high schools. Too many teens think that suicide is such a romantic thing to do. The reality of it just doesn't sink in with them. What I like so much about this movie is that it shows how very selfish suicide is.

Keanu is amazing in this movie. I also fell in love with the song, Wishing on another Lucky Star. I wish J.D. Souther would release this as a single. I'd buy it in a heartbeat.

11 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars been through it..., July 7, 2004

By A Customer

This review is from: Permanent Record [VHS] (VHS Tape)

Right before this came out, I went through a boyfriend's suicide. The movie really hit home. It really explains the feelings that those left behind feel. Sure, as I look back it is corny in the 80's way but the questions everyone had and the wonder of why is so true for the survivors.

The one thing the movie focused on is really the most important issue. Once the person has committed the suicide, they are no longer the problem. It is the recovery and coping of the survivors. A group of kids with no one to talk to or go to. Very much like it is today, 16 years later.

I would suggest that if anyone knows of someone that is thinking of suicide, make them watch the movie. Show them what their friends and family will feel once they are gone. It may be a movie but it is very close to the real life feelings we survivors feel when we lose someone we love and don't know why and feel guilt because couldn't stop it. Remember, suicide is a permenant solution to a temporary problem.

Keenu Reeves really takes the emotion and makes it real. Anyone could have played the part but he put such a realistic feel to the sorrow and anger, I really can't see anyone else in the roll. The song is beautiful and I had it at one time on cassette, now if that doesn't date me then I don't know what will. The whole movie is represents a process and the actors/actresses did a very good job of portraying it to the viewer.

The scenes in Portland and the surrounding areas are a nice change to a sound stage. I think it brings a touch of reality because it doesn't take place in LA or New York. How many normal people live outside of those 2 cities? I would say a lot and this movie shows that problems exist in all walks of life.