Shoplifters of the World (2021)

Film Summary
"Shoplifters of the World", a 2021 indie comedy-drama movie directed by Stephen Kijak, is greatly centered around the rock band, The Smiths, its disbandment, and the effect it had on its fans. Set in Denver, Colorado in 1987 on the day The Smiths broke up, the story unfolds around a group of hardcore fans, led by Cleo. Inspired by a story (apparently) based upon genuine occasions, the story is detailed in 2 parallel threads-- young adults handling their feelings about the band's separation and a DJ required to play The Smiths' songs on a radio station.

Main Characters and Themes
Cleo (Helena Howard), the film's protagonist, is distraught by the break up of her preferred band. As a sort of homage, she prepares a night out with her pals - the Smiths fan Dean (Ellar Coltrane), the military-bound Billy (Nick Krause), and the flirtatious Sheila (Elena Kampouris). As they set out to navigate a world without The Smiths, each character subtly shows their special, often struggling personalities, revealing a much deeper story about youth and identity.

On the other hand, hardcore Smiths fan, Dean (Joe Manganiello), chooses to rob 'Full Metal Mickey's' radio station at gunpoint and forces disc jockey Mickey, to play just Smiths songs all night. This sub-plot is both comical and stirring, dramatizing an urban legend while also showcasing the depth of fandom and its tendency towards extreme measures.

Presentation and Script
The film is drenched in 1980s aesthetics-- from the outfits and setting to the narrative style. The script easily mixes light-hearted discussions about The Smiths and their lyrics with more profound reflections on self-discovery, coming-of-age, and societal resistance. Though it attempts to serve lots of themes, at its heart, the film is a homage to The Smiths and a love letter to the pleasures and discomforts of fandom. Nevertheless, the film does contain some depictions of sexual circumstances and substance use, which might not appropriate for all viewers.

Performances and Direction
Director Stephen Kijak successfully recreates the 1980s' suburban atmosphere, brilliantly setting the stage for the narrative to unfold. The efficiencies are rather genuine too. Helena Howard as Cleo shines with her psychological variety, while Joe Manganiello as Dean portrays the angst-stricken fan with ease. The remainder of the ensemble, including Ellar Coltrane, Nick Krause, and Elena Kampouris, give commendable performances also.

Soundtrack and Impact
The sincere soundtrack is, undoubtedly, a character in itself. It's a jukebox of seventeen Smiths songs that forms the fabric of the story, driving it forward while stimulating nostalgia for the band and their age. Whether you're a fan of The Smiths, the movie does a good job of making you feel sorry for the characters' sensations of loss, confusion, and their battle to discover themselves.

To conclude, 'Shoplifters of the World' offers an interesting narrative that checks out extreme fandom, younger disobedience, relationship, identity battle, and the bond of music within its 90-minute runtime.

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