Review: ‘The Wackness’

Travis:

From writer-director Jonathan Levine comes one of the coolest and most honestly personal films this year. ‘The Wackness’ is a story that’s both bitingly funny and poignantly smart and reflective. Josh Peck plays Luke Shapiro, a teenager about to graduate high school but has little direction for his life. The story takes place in 1994 as Luke spends his time selling dope on the streets on New York. He trades weed for psychotherapy sessions from Dr. Squires (Ben Kingsley) who clearly needs more help than Luke ever will. Dr. Squires is unaware that Luke is developing a crush on his stepdaughter Stephanie (Olivia Thirlby), who herself only wants to be friends with Luke. Luke struggles with this predicament while also dealing with family problems at home. Parallel to Luke’s dilemma, Dr. Squires is also struggling to salvage his own marriage to Kristin (Famke Janssen) while diving hard and head-first into a drug-laden mid-life crisis.

The film also stars Mary-Kate Olsen as Union, a doped out time-displaced hippie chick and Method Man as Percy, Luke’s supplier for his drug dealership. Method man also adds his own music to the very cool, very effective soundtrack. ‘The Wackness’ is an all-around brilliant coming of age story that doesn’t get cheesy or wallow in the typical Hollywood unrealism we see so often. The scenes between Dr. Squires and Luke while in session are memorable, occasionally offering serious bits of life advice that make sense. The chemistry between Luke and Stephanie is genuine and conveys well on screen. “Steph” also has one of my favorite, while simplest, lines in the movie when scolding her dog for peeing on Luke’s Ice-vending cart … “Jesus Christ, NO!” Jesus Christ is her dog’s name. You just simply have to see ‘The Wackness’. ‘Nuff said.

[rating:5/5]

Michelle:

A quirky little dramedy that intertwines the lives of four lonely people who’s only common thread is marijuana. Complications arise when a teen-age pot dealer, Luke Shapiro (Josh Peck), falls for his shrink’s (Ben Kingsley) step-daughter (Olivia Thirlby). The psychologist and the lonely teen form an unlikely bond well past that of buyer and dealer. Although another coming-of-age story from director Jonathan Levine, the most charming scene has to be Luke tripping the light fantastic after leaving his first love on a warm summer night in NYC. Such a jaw-dropping transformation from Peck since his days as the spastic, second banana brother, Josh Nichols, in Nickelodeon’s Drake and Josh. And be on the watch for a kooky, delightful appearance by Mary-Kate Olsen.

One of the most entertaining movies of 2008!

[rating:5/5]

Charles:

This film was excellent! The acting by Josh Peck was really superb; he showed that not only is he a wonderful comical actor, but an incredible dramatic actor as well. He was brilliantly casted for this role, and was able to carry the film with ease. Hopefully we will be seeing a whole lot more of this actor, because he has given the breakthrough performance of the year. Set in New York 1994, a story about a troubled teenage drug dealer Luke Shapiro (Peck) who has struck a deal with his therapist Dr.Squires (Sir Ben Kingsley), swapping him weed in exchange for sessions in which he explains the personal crises that is his life. Along the way he falls for Squires step-daughter Stephanie (Olivia Thirlby). Supporting actor Ben Kingsley was, as usual, great. He provides perfect comedic timing and creates a character so entertaining, you can’t help smiling once he appears on screen. In one hilarious scene (that is easily the best of part of the movie), Squires is talking with Shapiro about lifes obstacles, when Squires just casually lights up a joint like its nothin’, and right in the middle of the streets of New York.So of course the cops start running toward him, in slo-mo, and we hear Squires telling Shapiro to ‘ruuuuuuun’ as he pumps his classic Reeboks in an effort to run away faster from the police, only to run right into their arms because, if you pay attention, HE’S HIGH! The sexy Olivia Thirlby (an up and coming actress to be on the look-out for) worked very well as Peck’s love interest. Method Man also delivers a fine performance as Lukes drug resource and he definatley has the ability to act! The music of 1994 flows perfectly with the film. It has great music from such N.Y. artists as the Wu Tang Clan, Notorious B.I.G, and A Tribe Called Quest. I loved everything about this film and I hope that it becomes the independent film that makes it big this year! It definitely deserves high praise! ‘The Wackness’ has to be one of my favorite and best films of 2008!

[rating:5/5]