Tacoma Arts in Review: "Kaboom" at the Grand Cinema

Director Gregg Araki’s latest film, “Kaboom” tells the story of Smith (Thomas Dekker), a typical horny college freshman who experiences a strange recurring dream. After his dreams begin to infiltrate reality, Smith must piece together the emerging puzzle. A late night encounter with a mysterious girl leaves him in possession of a jump drive with potentially explosive content on it—and leads him on a search to discover the identities of the animal-masked men who abducted her.

A pastiche of nearly every cinematic stereotype (drawing on everything from science fiction to romantic comedy), “Kaboom” is a gallivanting wreck of a film that attempts—and fails—to be the cutting edge of hip. Yet despite itself, the film’s psychedelic and fantasy qualities (both in cinematography and plot), and its refusal to obey or acknowledge sexual standards remain intriguing.

In spite of a sprinkling of current pop culture references “Kaboom” often feels like a transplant from the 80s, an updated “Doom Generation.” Drawing on the supernatural, hallucinatory elements of such predecessors as “Donnie Darko” and “Twin Peaks,” “Kaboom” is a clichéd attempt at sensationalism and melodrama and lacks the sort of self-awareness that would allow it to be successful satire.

Smith is helped throughout his wild adventures by snarky, lesbian best friend Stella (Hayley Bennett), and the sexually forward London (Juno Temple), both of whom seem to have his best interests in mind—but who can he trust, really? As he becomes further embroiled in the search for his mystery girl, it becomes clear that his life, or at least his lifestyle, is at stake. Smith responds to this threat in the way that any healthy young collegiate male responds to stress. Sex. And lots of it. Never mind the gender. Through Smith’s misadventures, “Kaboom” becomes a relentless collegiate sex romp that left me wondering if any such college experience actually existed and if I’d just gone to the wrong school.

“Kaboom” has been lauded as a remarkably liberal portrayal of sexuality, which is no surprise, considering director Gregg Araki is acclaimed within New Queer Cinema. Despite Araki’s seminal status within Queer Cinema and past films including “Mysterious Skin” and “Totally F***ed Up”, which explore sexuality in a more serious way, the sex in “Kaboom” is empty and fetishized. There is no deeper message here, no true questions, answers or morals. “Kaboom” is all titillation and fantasy and if you can keep this in mind, just sit back and allow the trip to take its course.

“Kaboom” opened March 25. For more information and ticketing, visit the Grand Cinema here

Review by Lindsey W. Flatt

ABOUT TACOMA ARTS IN REVIEW
Tacoma Arts In Review, a new column on Exit 133, regularly shares timely reviews and stories on art happenings in Tacoma written by local college students and community members. For more information and application details, go here.