Some films are very easy to review, but few film makers made the reviewers's job so simple as those responsible for S.F.W., 1994 drama directed by Jefery Levy. The shortest possible review of the film could be condensed in the slogan behind the acronym that serves as film's title.
The plot is based on the novel by Andrew Wellman and follows misadventures of Cliff Spab (played by Stephen Dorff), young slacker who goes to small convenience store to buy beer for his friend Joe Dice (played by Jack Noseworthy). Both of them, together with few other people, are taken hostage by mysterious terrorists with a single bizarre demand - TV cameras must record whatever happens within the store and air it on national television 24 hours a day. After a while, Cliff Spab begins using this opportunity to spew his own nihilistic philosophy in front of national audience. After 36 days the supplies of beer run out and Cliff and Joe decide to run. This results is a massacre and the only surviving hostages are Cliff and Wendy (played by Reese Witherspoon), girl from a rich family. Cliff soon finds himself as a national celebrity, with millions young people constructing entire belief system around his phrase "so f***ing what". The fame quickly bores Cliff and he tries to run and find Wendy, with whom he had fallen in love during the ordeal.
S.F.W. was probably devised as that would put a mark on its time - a nihilistic manifesto of Generation X. This lofty ambition, however, obviously proved way beyond Levy's rather modest film making abilities. Levy seems lost in this film, not sure whether to turn S.F.W. into sincere celebration of nihilism or more serious exploration of the abusive influence of media in modern world. As a result, plot slowly develops, constantly being interrupted by boring and unnecessary flashbacks while hardly any character, including Clif, gains viewers' sympathy. Even more damning for the film is its hypocrisy - on one hand Levy attacks heartless and manipulative media, while in the same time takes idol-worshipping approach towards MTV as the only thing that young people can understand and trust. On the other hand, the actors are doing good job and some of them, like Reese Witherspoon and Joey Lauren Adams, would later have distinguished career. But this is not the reason enough for S.F.W. to be recommended; those who miss this film could use its title as a best way to describe what should they think about it.
RATING: 3/10 (+)
(Note: The text in its original form was posted in Usenet newsgroup rec.arts.movies.reviews on May 8th 2003)
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