Fruit of the Vine

RS: 3of 4 Stars

2000 Documentary

Abandoned motel pools, busted drainpipes and excavated bird ponds -- if Dogtown and Z-Boys chronicled skateboarding's first stars, Fruit of the Vine is about the search for a killer (usually illegal) place to skate.

The fuzzy 8 mm film is a journey through working-class America. The filmmakers have big things to say about suburban decay, but more memorable is the skating -- the daredevil spins, lip flips and homegrown outlaw attitude.

JASON FINE
(January 2, 2003)