Flipping through the cable channels, I happened upon a movie from 1982 that I don't remember ever seeing. Entitled "Smithereens," this film took place in a Greenwich Village era that was very near and dear to my heart. It was a time when bands or artists had to plaster the city with flyers to help gain recognition. It was a time when new wave music was oozing from the sounds of punk bands. And the best part was that the punk bands were still there! The feel that the director, Susan Seidelman, produced in each scene was very dark and very real.
The film follows Wren around the city, especially after she is evicted from her apartment. Played by Susan Berman, Wren meets out-of-towner Paul (Brad Rijn) who is living out of is van and also takes a liking to her. Wren has very big ideas and dreams of singing in her own band. She has been literally putting up flyers with her name and likeness on them all around the city. When she takes notice of Eric (Richard Hell), she recognizes him as the lead singer in one of her favorite bands. She has been listening to his music with her friend Cecile (Nada Despotovich) on vinyl, who also happens to be a big fan. Despotovich was last seen playing a bartender in 2018 on the series "Castle Rock."
With Eric having more in common with Wren, she attempts to get close to him even though he only appears to be interested in himself and doesn't care to be in a close relationship with any woman, including his own wife. Richard Hell is known for being a member of the Neon Boys and Television, with Tom Verlaine. He had a brief stint with the Heartbreakers, ex-New York Doll Johnny Thunders' band. He also had his own band, Richard Hell and the Voidoids. His drummer was Marc Bell aka Marky Ramone.
Even though Wren keeps going back to Paul, he begins to realize that she only comes back when she needs something. Eric eventually uses Wren in the end, even though she believes that her favorite punk rocker is taking her to California with him. Eric lives with Billy (Roger Jett), who is just trying to get any of the women that stop by the apartment into bed with him.
The Nitecaps, who appear in the film, are also on the soundtrack. The soundtrack also contains songs by Richard Hell and the Voidoids and The Feelies, as well as many others. I was watching the film late at night and every time I felt like shutting it off because I was tired, I just couldn't bring myself to do it. I could not leave the story in the middle because I was too committed. The movie did leave me wondering if Wren was going to suffer the same fate that Cherie Currie suffered in "Foxes." Only the writer knows.