The acting is pretty inconsistent. Watching rival band managers Amber (Missy Doty) and Chris Ashford (Keir O’Donnell) square off for attention is a frankly embarrassing display of acting chops. But the key performance, of course, is Shane West as Crash, and I’ll be damned if he doesn’t give one of the most convincing American punk performances ever set to celluloid. West, who plays a misplaced rock star doctor on E.R., won’t let you take your eyes off him, just like every punk frontman from Iggy Pop to Kurt Cobain. From West’s performance, you can see how Crash provided immediate influences to Henry Rollins and Jello Biafra. It’s no surprise the Germs have reformed with West in Crash’s place.
Of course, Crash couldn’t anticipate what would eventually ruin his Five Year Plan — he got upstaged by a bigger rock star. The day after Crash killed himself, John Lennon was murdered. The Germs may have wanted to be bigger than the Beatles, but the Beatles were bigger than Jesus. The most cringe-worthy directorial decision has Crash assuming a Christ pose as he falls to the floor from his fatal heroin overdose. It’s ridiculous and overdone, but no doubt some punks take the image literally.
A film as willfully abrasive as What We Do Is Secret certainly gets the punk attitude in style. But unlike recent loud/fast punk films, it doesn’t feel incomplete either. Even the crudest of hardcore bands need some substance to be a success. What We Do Is Secret is an imperfect, wild, and foolhardy attempt to capture an oft-forgotten band in their brief, nihilistic glory. So basically, it succeeds.
What We Do is Secret, written and directed by Rodger Grossman; director of photography, Andrew Huebscher; edited by Ross Albert and Joel Platch; produced by Matt Perniciaro, Kevin Mann, Rodger Grossman, Todd Traina and, Stephen Nemeth; music supervision by Howard Paar; starring Shane West (Darby Crash), Rick Gonzalez (Pat Smear), Bijou Phillips (Lorna Doom), Noah Segan (Don Bolles), Tina Majorino (Michelle), Katherine Leonard (Jena), Ashton Holmes (Rob Henley), Keir O'Donnell (Chris Ashford), Lauren German (Belinda), Sebastian Roche (Claude "Kickboy Face" Bessey), Azura Skye (Casey Cola), and Missy Doty (Amber). Running time: 1 hour, 33 minutes. Rated R.
Photos by Kevin Estrada
Article comments
1 - Henry Warfield
Saw the movie on the festival circuit... Can't wait to see it again in Chi-town. Shane West is amazing as Darby Crash
2 - Robert Pyn
You know, I was nervous as hell to see this film, because my dad grew up in the LA punk scene and his stories and photos provided me with much of my knowledge and love of early punk...
But, I thought the film was damn good!
It was easy to get over my skepticism of Darby Crash being played by Shane (Hollywood) West because he's frick'n great! The prosthetic teeth are enough to see his commitment to the role, I was shocked! I love the film and it's candid portrayal of early punk!!!
3 - alex
i dont get how shane west thinks he can be darby... darby can not be replaced!
4 - SilverMonkey
great movie!
5 - Sam Quyk
I recommend the film for both nostalgic and young audiences alike who seek an opportunity to peek into the rise of hardcore punk in LA.
"Fast forward 29 years. Crash, the infamous Germs singer, has been dead longer than he ever lived, but his mystique lives on in a new movie by Rodger Grossman" --Denise Hamilton