David is a popular student. During a late night party, David falls off a cliff. His friend Chirs (Keanu Reeves) suspects that it was suicide, but he can't figure out why. He hopes to use David's music at the school memorial, but the school cancels it after discovering the suspected suicide.It's dark meandering tale of teenage angst. It's a good one at that. The suicide comes in a little late. At around 30 minutes, the movie gets going too slowly and too late. The audience doesn't really need to see or hear from David. He is better as a memory from the other characters.Keanu Reeves gives another performance like 'River's Edge'. He's very effective as a disenfranchised teen. In fact, this is his story which adds to the argument to skip most of David's scenes in the beginning. Keanu's the star and the camera knows it.

I've been a fan of this movie since it was first released, well, since I first saw it anyway. I'm not a guy comfortable with the display of emotions, however, this movie does have a tendency to draw them out of me. A movie telling a story about a kid who by all accounts appears to have everything going for him just can't cope and decides to take the easy way out and kill himself.The emotional value for me is particularly in one scene, where Keanu Reeves is driving drunk, and when confronted he breaks down in tears, the common emotions "I should have known" Well, this movie brings up all of these emotions for me being as I have been surrounded by death, within a week of working my first job I discovered the body of a man who committed suicide, my best friend died at a young age, my pregnant fiancé was killed in a car accident, couple other friends committed suicide.So this movie will always carry a special meaning for me, I tend to watch it a couple of times a year at which time I reflect upon those that I have lost. (Yes, I always watch it alone)

I wished they'd shown this movie in my HS after a female student committed suicide, I think it would have helped us move on. Especially since that is really what this movie is about: the process of healing after the loss of someone. I found this movie to be touching, realistic, and enveloping. Allow me to explain. I was touched by the character development. I found the process of the healing to be very realistic. And because I could identify with what some of the characters were going through, I found it enveloping. Some of Keanu Reeves best work is in this film. Chris' breakdown in the Dad's arms is one of the best scenes in the whole film. On top of all that, to this day, when Jennifer Rubins sings at the end, I cry. Every time. Now, whenever I need a pick-me up, I sing that song.On a side note, I would probably have liked this movie even if it hadn't been filmed partly in my hometown.

This movie was by far one of the best I've seen in quite some time. Keanu Reeves gives a very heart-felt performance while handling the things in the movie he has to handle. Also, there is some great singing in this movie. Jennifer Rubin's character sings a song at the end of the movie that I would love to be able to find. The singer, whether or not it truly is her, is terrific. The story line is serious, as is the movie, but anyone who wishes to see Keanu master his dramatic, sad role should definitely see this movie.