In 1990, the popular radio hit, Pump Up the Volume, was continuing to gain commercial success through radio, television, and movies. In that same year, Christian Slater was the IT guy, and he was starring in one of his most popular films which adopted the same name of the hit single. Ironically, the song is not featured in the film nor on the soundtrack.
The movie version opens a window to what is going on in the minds of high school teens in the 90s. It is also about standing up to oppressive adults, unifying young people feeling helpless and afraid, and awakening their minds to the truth about the roles society has picked for them.
But at the heart of the story stands a teenage introvert unleashing his knowledge and deep insight of their warped lives to an audience of listeners starving for a savior to deliver them from obscurity.
“They say I’m disturbed. Well, of course I’m disturbed. I mean, we’re all disturbed. And if we’re not, why not?”
Slater plays Mark Hunter, the quiet, withdrawn teenager no one in the school knows is alive. At night, he escapes to his parent’s basement where he has established a one-man pirate radio station. There, he turns into his alter-ego, Hard Harry. As Harry, his eyeglasses are off, his head is lifted, his clothes are less geeky, and he speaks with alluring confidence in which every word matters. He discusses the pressures of high school life and the unfair system to justifiably prove life sucks.
Most of the time he is cool.
Sometimes he is crazy.
All the time he is on point.
His listeners are his peers at the high school. Every evening, they tune into his program to listen to his philosophical rants.
“Feeling screwed up at a screwed up time in a screwed up place does not necessarily make you screwed up.”
“I have no friends, no money, no car, no license. And even if I did have a license, all I can do is drive out to some stupid mall.”
They are drawn to him because he speaks like them.
He is the voice of the voiceless.
He speaks the truth.
He wants nothing back.
Finally, there is someone out there who understands what they are going through, someone who is willing to listen.
One of the listeners enamored by Harry’s words and mystique, is Nina DeNiro, a free spirit struggling to cope with high school life. She eventually discovers the identity of Hard Harry, and the two form a friendship—or something like that.
Pump Up the Volume shows the great talents an introvert can display when presented with the right platform. Deep within Mark Hunter’s quiet exterior is a wild, uncontrollable force begging to be unleashed; a powerful voice unafraid to speak truths even if the price to pay is expulsion from school.
While observing his peers, as well as being a teen himself, he can reach out and collect an audience drawn to his fearless, unapologetic delivery.
The method in which he utilizes his talents helped a great many find therapy in their confused, depressing lives.
Although his rants did have some consequences, Mark was able to learn from his mistakes and carry on with his job. Instead of money, he accepted the satisfaction of his listeners as his reward to go along with the stress-relieving therapy of his brutally honest rants.
Have you seen Pump Up the Volume?
What are your thoughts on the film?
Do you remember that song from back in the day?
Pump Up the Volume (1990)
Rated R for strong language
Starring Christian Slater, Samantha Mathis, Mimi Kennedy
Director: Allan Moyle
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