"The Decline of Western Civilization" is a very raw documentary about the punk rock scene in Los Angeles during the end of 1979 and the first few months of 1980. It chronicles six different bands; the members, their fans, their exploits. We get to know a little bit about how each of the bands came together and then we get to see them perform. As far as a concept, it's extraordinarily simple, but the execution is where this film really comes to life. What Spheeris ("Suburbia", "Wayne's World") has done is opened a door to another world, another way of living; she's humanized some of the outcasts in society, and in some instances made them seem a little more normal (in other cases, not so much). It examines the psyche of a punk rocker, looks at their reasons for why they feel so much anger and hate against the world as a whole, and it challenges it. The film is a fascinating look at a subculture that is both looked down upon and idolized at the same time. If you don't at least have somewhat of an interest in punk I can't see you enjoying this film, but if you do have an interest in the music, or maybe you're morbidly curious about that lifestyle, then I urge you to check it out.
