Slaves to the Underground

Slaves to the Underground is a 1997 movie directed by Kristine Peterson and featuring Molly Gross, Jason Bortz, and Marisa Ryan in key roles. Adapted from a novel by Sarah Schulman, it is at its core a unique exploration of love, friendship, individual identity, the punk rock culture, and the questioning of societal norms against the backdrop of Seattle's grunge music scene in the 90s.

The narrative follows the lives of three main characters, Shelly (Molly Gross), Suzy (Marisa Ryan), and Jimmy (Jason Bortz) as they attempt to navigate through the labyrinth of their tumultuous lives, relationships, and careers within the underground music scene. The psyche of the principal personae and their interactions are set against the freewheeling and fierce music scene, as the title implies, serving as a resonating metaphor for their existence.

Shelly is the bass player for an all-female punk rock band named "No Exits", symbolizing the stifling sensation these women feel from societal obligations. Their music provides an outlet for their dissent against the patriarchal culture they perceive as oppressive, and their band serves as a symbol of rebellion and protest against the mainstream culture. Shelly's character is grappling with her complex sexuality as she is torn between her ex-girlfriend Suzy and her boyfriend Jimmy.

Suzy, the band's lead singer and Shelly's ex-girlfriend, is a fiery, passionate, and unapologetic character. Though she has moved on from Shelly to date a man, her open bisexuality continues to be a significant theme in the movie. Suzy's character is shown as an independent and assertive woman who balks at the concept of societal norms and expectations.

Jimmy, on the other hand, is an interesting juxtaposition to the female protagonists. Working at a music store and playing in a band, he has his own struggles in dealing with gender norms, sexism, and the difficulties posed by fragile masculinity. He loves Shelly and yet is insecure, feeling threatened by her past relationship with Suzy and her strong personality, which is a crucial part of the storyline.

Replete with the hues of social issues, Slaves to the Underground presents a nuanced portrayal of how society shapes and influences the sexual, professional, and personal lives of its characters. It explored the fluid dimensions of sexuality, tackling the then-considered-taboo subject of bisexuality and women empowerment with a relatability that strikes a chord even today.

One of the key elements of the movie is the depiction of the punk rock scene that formed the counterculture era during the late 20th century. The film significantly emphasizes the DIY aesthetic and confrontational attitude of the scene, giving the audience a raw, gritty, and realistic interpretation of what it truly meant to be part of the grunge scene in the 90s.

The film also provides an intriguing commentary on the dynamics of sexual politics and power hierarchies of the time. These themes are often camouflaged within the humor and vibrant energy of the band's musical performances, where they voice their protest against society's patriarchal structure and the marginalization of women.

Slaves to the Underground effectively combines drama, politics, romance, and humor, strengthened by compelling performances from Gross, Bortz, and Ryan. Each of them does a stellar job of bringing their complex characters to life, creating characters that are not only diverse and versatile but also extremely relatable. The plot is neatly woven, with each strand unraveling a new layer of complexity pertaining to their lives.

As the story unfolds, it becomes clear that the underground scene isn't merely a backdrop but a character in its own right, with its noisy, blistering guitar riffs and howling vocals echoing the anguish and resentment of the characters towards discriminatory societal norms.

Neurotic yet engaging, Slaves to the Underground is not just a film about the punk rock scene or bisexuality. It’s a film about accepting and embracing all that makes us unique. It’s about understanding that individual differences should not breed segregation, but ideally, a greater sense of unity and respect for one another. A fun and thought-provoking cinematic experience, the movie resonates with an authentic, raw energy that matches the intensity of the era it portrays.