Permanent Record

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Permanent Record

PG-13,

1988,

1h 31m,

Drama

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50%

16 Reviews

Tomatometer

70%

2,500+ Ratings

Popcornmeter

50%

Tomatometer

16 Reviews

70%

Popcornmeter

2,500+ Ratings

High school student David (Alan Boyce) appears to be totally happy, as well as bright, funny and well-liked. However, the stress from his high expectations leads him to commit suicide. David's best friend, Chris (Keanu Reeves), a shy loner, struggles to deal with the death, and starts talking to David's girlfriend, Lauren (Jennifer Rubin). Chris decides to continue a number of David's projects, including the school's musical production, although he soon feels the heightened pressure as well.

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Variety Staff

Variety

Mar 26, 2009

Pic is populated by profoundly unrewarding characters doing and saying utterly uninteresting things.

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Tom Charity

Time Out

Jun 24, 2006

A well-intentioned study of high-school kids coping (and not coping) with the pressures of adolescence, its naturalistic style only makes the more overt dramatic elements look forced and clichd.

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Walter Goodman

New York Times

May 21, 2003

The implacable earnestness laid on by the script, which it took three people to put together, is not relieved by the nonstop songs, from rock-and-roll to Gilbert and Sullivan.

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Marya E. Gates

Cool People Have Feelings, Too. (Substack)

Jan 30, 2026

Reeves' performance in this early film really sets the tone for the vulnerable emotionality he would bring to the rest of his career.

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Rene Jordan

El Nuevo Herald (Miami)

Jul 7, 2022

Permanent Record is a long, tearful and sickly wake with a very disturbing point of view. [Full review in Spanish]

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Rob Gonsalves

Rob's Movie Vault

Apr 9, 2007

B

This isn't much more than a conscientious TV-movie drama, with a rather maudlin climax, but the performances are solid...

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Hermione S

Jun 26, 2017

I saw this 25 years ago and remember it to this day. Memorable and profound.

Abraham S

Aug 3, 2010

Saddening, but more unwatchable than anything. (First and only viewing - 8/3/2010)

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Marisa Silver

Director

Alan Boyce

David Sinclair

Keanu Reeves

Chris Townsend

Michelle Meyrink

M.G.

Jennifer Rubin

Lauren

Pamela Gidley

Kim

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Synopsis

High school student David (Alan Boyce) appears to be totally happy, as well as bright, funny and well-liked. However, the stress from his high expectations leads him to commit suicide. David's best friend, Chris (Keanu Reeves), a shy loner, struggles to deal with the death, and starts talking to David's girlfriend, Lauren (Jennifer Rubin). Chris decides to continue a number of David's projects, including the school's musical production, although he soon feels the heightened pressure as well.

Director: Marisa Silver
Producer: Frank Mancuso Jr.
Screenwriter: Jarre Fees, Alice Liddle, Larry Ketron
Distributor: Paramount Pictures
Production Co: Paramount Pictures
Rating: PG-13
Genre: Drama
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Apr 22, 1988, Wide
Release Date (Streaming): Jan 5, 2017
Box Office (Gross USA): $1.6M
Runtime: 1h 31m
Sound Mix: Stereo, Surround

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