In my early 20s, I spent a lot of time frequenting dive bars, hanging out with friends, and watching bands play. Punk, garage rock, and metal would permeate the subpar sound systems. It was always a great night, listening to music, hanging with friends, never knowing how the night would end. Being a part of that scene will always mean something to me.
Most of us have moved on, moved up, and quite a few are no longer with us. What’s even more special is that many of us are still friends, still go to shows together, but have given in to adulthood and family life. When I see a film like The Yellow Bellies (2013), all those feelings come rushing back. They smack me across the face like a stray foot when someone dives off the stage. Made on a budget of under $5000, it reminded me of my own experiences, and that really means something.
Each of the four members of the all-girl punk band The Yellow Bellies has to deal with their own personal turmoil before hitting the stage at a club full of their friends and fans. Taking place backstage, outside, at the bar, or in the bathroom, the drama unfolds, threatening to tear apart the band before they hit the stage.
The Yellow Bellies is just over an hour long, and it was the perfect length to tell the story the filmmakers set out to tell. Written and directed by Joe Black and Joe O’Neil, it never overstays its welcome. It gives you just enough of a glimpse into the lives of these young women as they overcome the odds.
It’s not a story about a punk band trying to make it; in fact, we only get to see the band perform for a couple of minutes near the end. Instead, it focuses on their tumultuous relationships and how they navigate them while trying to keep the band together.
The cast is believable, as are their interactions. Some of the dialogue felt a little forced, trying a bit too hard to sound like Tarantino or Kevin Smith. But it’s just a minor gripe.
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Anchor Bay’s return has been filled with an eclectic slate, with The Yellow Bellies being a very welcome addition. The disc contains an audio commentary track, a roundtable discussion, cast auditions, behind-the-scenes footage, trailers, the short film Doctor, Doctor, and a live performance by Madeline Adams.
Perhaps the most important feature is the inclusion of the black-and-white version of the movie. This is the preferred version, in my opinion. It feels more streamlined, gritty, and real.
Whichever version you watch, The Yellow Bellies is a raw look into the lives of strong, opinionated women who refuse to compromise who they are for anyone.
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