Smithereens

Susan Seidelman delivers a raw, unflinching X-ray of narcissism thriving in a decaying subculture. The film follows its protagonist with a detached, almost clinical eye, making no attempt to soften her parasitic maneuvers or the grimy reality she inhabits.

What lingers after the final frame is the acrid smell of ambition and cheap perfume, a portrait of a scene eating its own tail. It's a compelling, uncomfortable ride to the edge of the stage. — MovieFinder Editorial