Around the Fire (DVD, 2003)

I was the previous owner of "Around the Fire" on VHS and have recently purchased the DVD. I'm not really a huge Deadhead or anything, but I really like this movie. Basically, the movie is about a modern group of young adults who follow the Grateful Dead. Devon Sawa (SLC Punk and Final Destination) plays the kid who is sent to boarding school surrounding the death of his mother when he was young and some other family dysfunctions. He meets Eric Mabius' (Welcome to the Dollhouse, Black Circle Boys) character who turns him onto the the traveling life of the Deadhead culture. Along the way he befriends a circle of seasoned Deadhead veterans and starts to learn the lifestyle. In the end, it becomes too much for him and he delves into heavy drugs, dealing drugs, and losing control. I'm not so sure that this movie is trying to be anti-drug and all that, but I think it is trying to say that sometimes people lose themselves when they are trying to find somewhere to fit in. There are also alot of flashbacks of Devon Sawa's past revolving around his family issues, leaning towards the fact that he is trying to come to terms with his past. Okay, this is where I can say I LOVE Tara Reid, who plays Devon Sawa's girlfriend. Having her in this movie is like a double jackpot bonus. Not only is she very cute, but she plays the little, granola girl character very well. This isn't a preachy movie at all. I think you have to take what you personally get out of it and roll with it. I found the story interesting enough to hold me and I liked the characters. A real Deadhead who has done the whole scene may find it kind of corny. I found it to be different and somewhat of a surprise. So, if you are not a hardcore Deadhead, you like looking at Tara Reid, different sects of American culture interest you, you aren't going in being too critical of the movie, you like good music, and you don't mind young adult drama - you may just dig this.

I loved this movie, which is rare because I scrutinize everything. It brought back a ton of memories, and evoked all sorts of emotions. I always dreamed about making a movie about going on Grateful Dead tour and other Music Festivals. I could not have done a better job! The portrayel of life on tour in the '90's, along with the awkwardness of growing up is phenominal. It truly captured the experience and way of life. I love the depiction of how relationships and FAMILY is formed on tour. In turn, it also shows the breaking-up and comiing back to the biological family after running away. The movie shows an innocent kid who doesn't know himself, love, or the meaning of life; and, how easy it is to get wrapped up in the way of life, from using and selling drugs, to having sex with random girls, and the consequences that go along with it. The way that LSD was depicted, was so realistic, from the high to the consequences of distributing it. All of the crazy characters from tour were included. Around the Fire shows the diversity and yet common bonds formed from people who would probably have never been united otherwise. It made me laugh, remeniss and even cry! Anyone who has ever been on tour, or who wants to know the sociology of this way of life should watch this movie. I thought it was incredible how they showed the amazing side of freedom, fun, sex, and drugs, to the dark underbelly and sad reality for some in that life. I thought about two of my best friends from tour who died way before their time. I can not say enough about how amazing this movie is. I was never a fan of Tara Reid, but she actually transformed into a beautiful hippie butterfly glitter girl, which I think is a stretch from who she really is in life. I give her props on her acting, and fell in love with her character. I may have fell in love with her! I could relate on how easy it is to lose track of what's important in life and which paths to choose. This may be the "Eazy Rider" of my generation!

you have to have lived the scene to understand the movie, the movie, though presented in general terms, is a accurate snapshot of a moment in the life of a rock bands fan based road tour.

I love this movie. it really gives a look inside to the lives of people who have gone through all of this

Thought it was new....its pretty scratched up......The movie itself skips a little when I try to play it so its kinda useless...Not sure if that was disclosed in the item review or not...