Wassup Rockers, Larry Clark's interesting and affecting pseudo-documentary about skateboarding punk rock Latinas is quite the fascinating animal. While Clark himself admits to not being a documentary filmmaker, it's easy to see a true-life quality to nearly all of his films and Rockers is certainly no exception. While Clark likes to construct intimate and telling movies about teens, it doesn't seem as if he necessarily makes these movies for teens. Which in turn causes his work even more sprawling controversy.

The first half of Wassup Rockers could easily pass for an authentic documentary as Clark follows his subjects around their home turf of South Central. They skateboard, hang out with girls and deal with race relations in the neighborhood. For the second hour of the film, Clark plays off on a fish out of water theme as he transports his subjects to Beverly Hills for an entire day of adventure.

They ditch their car after being pulled over by the police (no one has a license), run into a couple of hot to trot Beverly Hills High teen babes (even going so far as to hang out at their house for a bit) and crash what appears to be some sort of exclusively themed yuppie party. There's tragedy and realization (and pink cupcakes) as the boys tire of their new surroundings and inevitably attempt to work their way home.

Wassup Rockers has a few inspired bits but never really gets much deeper than these few standout scenes. One in particular offers an intimate discussion between Kico (Francisco Pedrasa) and Hills teen Nikki (played with assured innocence by Jessica Steinbaum) in her bedroom. Instead of opting for the expected display of young lust, Clark has the two sitting on the bed, comparing notes about their home life. It's a great defining moment that surely has a lot of truth to it. It's moments like this that draw on the real power from the film. Unfortunately, in a nearly two-hour flick, there aren't nearly enough scenes like this.

Kids Today?

Skateboarding, Punk Rock, Latinas? Now THAT'S a mouthful! (Photo courtesy of the Philadelphia Film Society)

Surprisingly enough, Clark even adds a few comedic moments into the mix that almost turn the film into a Monty Python skit. They really don't belong; even if they are slightly grimace-inducing. It's odd how Clark decided to join these bizarre moments of comedic relief with scenes of extreme tragedy. This includes a perplexing spill at the aforementioned yuppie party and a close encounter with a sharp shooter who appears to be a satirical hybrid of Clint Eastwood and Charlton Heston which really left me scratching my head.

Rockers really derails however when Clark focuses in on the boys endless skateboarding excursions. The film feels as if it runs about 20 minutes too long anyway and at this point comes off more like two halves rather than a cinematic whole. Faults aside, Larry Clark's Wassup Rockers showcases what Clark does best. Giving teens of varying types and backgrounds a voice. He doesn't pander to them (or us for that matter). Instead he gives them a viable outlet to express themselves. And although it may not always be easy to watch or accept, that doesn't make it any less valuable an exploration than it really is.

Thumbs Up Though the film is a bit too ambitous, Clark is still at the top of his game.