Smithereens 1982

In the vibrant streets of New York City, a 19-year-old runaway named Wren aspires to be a rock ‘n’ roll star. Her journey begins with a bold act: she steals sunglasses from a female pedestrian at a subway station, and then proceeds to decorate the walls of a subway train with her photographs. This rebellious act catches the eye of Paul (Brad Rinn), a newcomer from Montana who is immediately taken with Wren’s charismatic energy.

After Wren hands him a flyer, Paul follows her around, captivated by her spirit, even watching her during her work shift at a local photocopy shop. When Wren finally allows Paul to accompany her home from the Peppermint Lounge, a popular nightclub for New Wave enthusiasts, she cleverly shuts down his attempt to get her on a date.

The next morning, Paul wakes up in his makeshift home—a spray-painted van—dreaming of Wren as he admires her flyer, which boldly questions, “Who is this?” Driven by a longing to be close to Wren, he waits outside her apartment, and after some reluctance, she agrees to join him for a movie. Unfortunately, their date takes an unexpected turn when Wren’s starstruck attraction to a once-famous musician, Eric (Richard Hell), interrupts their budding connection. Initially, Paul attempts to dissuade her, but his pleas fall on deaf ears as Wren is enthralled by the idea that Eric can help her career.

Later that night, after an escapade with Eric, Wren finds herself waking up in a compromising position between him and his disheveled roommate, Billy (Roger Jett). After a chaotic morning filled with rejection from her landlady, Wren hits rock bottom and seeks refuge in the suburbs with her older sister, Terry (Pamela Speed), only to meet further resistance from Terry’s brusque husband, Mike (Tom Cherwin).

Desperate, Wren returns to Manhattan and seeks help from Paul, but their dynamic shifts when she suggests breaking into her apartment to retrieve her belongings, leading them to share more than just a space in his van. As time passes, Wren continues to chase her dreams while neglecting the genuine connection she has with Paul, leading to an increasing tension between them.

Wren’s misadventures continue as she finds herself at odds with Eric, leading to a confrontation in a café where her jealousy spills over. After experiencing hardship and violence, Wren shares a surreal dream with Paul, revealing her deeper insecurities and feelings of inadequacy. Though they become intimate, this only confuses their relationship further when Paul decides to leave for New Hampshire and invites her to join him.

Amid this emotional turbulence, Wren’s encounter with Eric becomes a catalyst for reckless decisions as he pulls her into a dangerous scheme. During a theft, she finds herself entangled in a morally corrupt situation, questioning her decisions as she chooses survival over her integrity.

Ultimately, Wren’s pursuit of Eric leads her back to heartbreak as she discovers the truth about his life. Desperately seeking stability, she turns to her co-worker Cecile, only to face rejection. As her circumstances worsen and she gets thoroughly cast aside, she finds herself wandering the streets and falling into desperate scenarios. Misguided and mistaken for a prostitute, Wren grapples with her identity and choices in a world that seems to continuously undermine her aspirations. In the end, Wren’s journey is a poignant reflection on the complexities of youth, ambition, and the quest for belonging.