Kids offers a bleak, unblinking view of a group of vacuous, thoughtless New York City teens in their ceaseless quest for sex, drugs and trouble. The film primarily follows Telly (Leo Fitzpatrick), who, having just realized the conquest of his latest virgin, brags that by day's end he will claim one more. While he and his friends brag to each other about their sexual exploits, Jennie (Chloe Sevigny) describes her own less-than-romantic encounter with Telly. Soon after the conversation, she learns that Telly, the only boy with whom she has slept, has infected her with the AIDS virus. Devastated, she sets out to find him and share the news. Meanwhile, Telly has set his sights on Darcy, a lovely young girl whom he invites for a skinny dip at the local pool. Together with his friends, Telly drags Darcy along, and the entire crew jump the fence after hours. There he presents his now-familiar spiel which Darcy naively accepts, and the scene is set for disaster as the group head back to a vacant apartment for an evening of sex, booze, drugs and debauchery. Jennie finally locates Telly at the impromptu party and rushes to confront him, although she may be too late to save the next virgin in line from sharing her fate. Director Larry Clark manages to imbue the film with a documentary feel; not one note in Kids rings false. The kids are all authentic "street" kids, and each turns in a convincing, naturalistic performance, presumably by being themselves. Many may find it unrelentingly depressing, while other misguided younger viewers may find the kids' lives appealing; regardless, Kids is a film achievement well worth a look for a mature, thoughtful audience with discriminating taste.