What We Do Is Secret (2007)

What We Do Is Secret Poster

The true-life story of Darby Crash, who became an L.A. punk icon with his band The Germs. Along with Lorna Doom, Pat Smear, and Don Bolles, Darby Crash completely transformed the L.A. punk scene, while sacrificing everyone he loved, his career, and ultimately his life.

Title: What We Do Is Secret (2007)

Directed by: Rodger Grossman

Overview:
"What We Do Is Secret" is a 2007 biographical film directed and composed by Rodger Grossman about the band Germs and its renowned frontman, Darby Crash. The movie records the highlights and low points of Darby's journey to fame and his terrible, early death. It is not just an exploration of the band's punk ethos but offers a snapshot of the genre's introduction in the late '70s.

Plot:
The movie hinges around the protagonist, Darby Crash (Shane West), who forms the punk rock band 'Germs' with good friends and fellow band members Pat Smear (Rick Gonzalez), Lorna Doom (Bijou Phillips), and Don Bolles (Noah Segan). The plot pivots around how the band increases to their ephemeral peak of stardom and the risks they come across, causing the terrible suicide of Crash.

Thematic Elements:
The movie portrays the gritty underside of the Los Angeles punk scene in the late 1970s. Darby Crash's objective to "live fast and die young" functions as a main theme, influencing the story's trajectory and the characters' advancement. The movie captures the band's mission for authenticity amidst industrial pressures and its battle with self-destructive propensities. The defiant spirit of hard rock, its cynicism towards conformity, and the desperate longing for recognition underscore the film.

Characters and Performances:
In terms of performances, Shane West is notable for his remarkable portrayal of Darby Crash, embodying the punk idol's unpredictability, unpredictable charisma, and raw vulnerability. His efficiency, paired with a memorable supporting cast, effectively weaves in the magic and chaos that specified the Germs' quick, unpredictable period. The other band members are likewise illustrated realistically, showing their sense of sociability, conflict, and the surreal aspects of their punk presence.

Important Response:
Critically, "What We Do Is Secret" received blended reviews. While some admired the film for its energy and authenticity, others critiqued it for its unsympathetic lead and its lack of depth in taking a look at the era. However, the film's evocative representation of the punk phenomenon, Darby Crash's brief career, and the Germs' influence on the category were universally acknowledged.

Conclusion:
On the whole, "What We Do Is Secret" is a tribute to a famous band and the unstable life of its frontman. While the movie offers audiences with an interesting panorama of the early punk scene in Los Angeles, it's likewise an awful story of self-destruction, making it a bittersweet tale of skill, victory, and despair. Through its raw and unfiltered portrayal of the Germs and the punk movement, the film acts as an intimate exploration of the rebellious, visceral, and transient nature of punk rock.

Top Cast

  • Shane West (small)
    Shane West
    Darby Crash
  • Rick Gonzalez (small)
    Rick Gonzalez
    Pat Smear
  • Bijou Phillips (small)
    Bijou Phillips
    Lorna Doom
  • Noah Segan (small)
    Noah Segan
    Don Bolles
  • Tina Majorino (small)
    Tina Majorino
    Michelle
  • Ashton Holmes (small)
    Ashton Holmes
    Rob Henley
  • Keir O'Donnell (small)
    Keir O'Donnell
    Chris Ashford
  • Lauren German (small)
    Lauren German
    Belinda
  • Ray Park (small)
    Ray Park
    Brendan Mullen
  • Sebastian Roché (small)
    Sebastian Roché
    Sebastian Roché
  • Katharine Leonard (small)
    Katharine Leonard
    Jena Cardwell