Shoplifters of the World

Shoplifters of the World is a coming-of-age film set in 1987, in the aftermath of the break-up of British rock band The Smiths. The story takes place in Denver, where four friends plan to get their revenge against the local rock radio station, which they blame for the band's demise.

The film opens with two teenage friends, Dean and Billy, sitting in a car outside the radio station. Dean is a die-hard Smiths fan, while Billy is a more casual listener. When they hear the news that the band has broken up, Dean is understandably devastated. As the night wears on, they meet up with two other friends, Trish and Sheila, and decide to take over the radio station and force the DJ to play nothing but Smiths music all night.

The four friends are a motley crew. Dean is a sensitive soul, but he's also volatile and prone to outbursts. Billy is more laid-back, but he has a crush on Trish and wants to impress her. Trish is a rebel who dreams of leaving Denver and moving to London. And Sheila is the glue that holds the group together, always quick with a wisecrack or a piece of advice.

At first, the plan seems like a lark. They break into the radio station and take the DJ hostage, forcing him to play Smiths records at gunpoint. But as the night goes on, the situation becomes more complicated. Other people get involved, including a group of jocks who want to hear some AC/DC, and a police officer who shows up to investigate a noise complaint. And as the music keeps playing, the four friends start to reveal some uncomfortable truths about themselves and their relationships with each other.

Helena Howard gives a standout performance as Trish, the tough-talking rebel who's secretly vulnerable. Her scenes with Ellar Coltrane, who plays Billy, are some of the film's most heartfelt. Coltrane is best known for his starring role in Richard Linklater's "Boyhood," and he brings a similar vulnerability to this role. Elena Kampouris, who plays Sheila, is also excellent, infusing her character with a wry sense of humor that balances out the film's more serious moments.

The film is directed by Stephen Kijak, who previously directed the documentaries "Stones in Exile" and "We Are X." His experience in the music world serves him well here, as he captures the energy and excitement of the Smiths' music without ever feeling like he's being overly reverential. The film's soundtrack is, of course, dominated by Smiths songs, but there are also some other terrific '80s tracks that will have viewers tapping their feet.

At its core, "Shoplifters of the World" is a film about the power of music to bring people together and the pain of losing something you love. It's a bit bittersweet, as the characters are mourning the loss of the Smiths even as they're celebrating their music. But it's also a film that finds joy and humor in unlikely places, and anyone who's ever felt like an outsider will find something to relate to in these four misfits.

Overall, "Shoplifters of the World" is a charming and entertaining film that should appeal to anyone who loves '80s music, coming-of-age stories or indie films with a quirky edge. It's also a great showcase for its young cast, all of whom are actors to watch in the years to come.