Blank Generation - * * *

Watched this the other night and it's worth a rent - the plot line is somewhat flat, but has some interesting German New Wavisms that the director uses to tell a simple love story in late 70's downtown NY. Richard Hell has presence and is amazing to watch perform the signature tune - but i can't help but wonder if this is trying to recapture some of the former glory as punk slowly climbs out of the 70's and gives in to Post punk (note - the audiences at CBGB's seem almost too tame for the show that Hell is putting on. Watch the original, poorly shot doco of the same name to really see the man go to town.) Interesting parallels with the current state of the music scene (every one coming out of Brooklyn seems to be the new Downtown Darlings and even sound like mr. Hell. If you want the real deal, kids - read your Rimbaud, watch the music numbers in this and learn!)...