Sundance 2010 Preview: HESHER

Anything Joseph Gordon-Levitt is in is promptly thrown to near the top of my “most anticipated” list any more.  He is, without a doubt, one of the best actors working today, and he’s only 29-years-old.  As much as we love him in the lighter films a la (500) DAYS OF SUMMER, it is the darker films like BRICK and THE LOOKOUT that really pique our interest.  HESHER is no exception, and, with a cast that also boasts Rainn Wilson, Natalie Portman, and Piper Laurie, it is easily one of the films at Sundance this year we cannot wait to feast our eyes on.

Official synopsis:

Hesher is the story of a family struggling to deal with loss and the anarchist who helps them do it—in a very unexpected way.

TJ is 13 years old. Two months ago, his mom was killed in an accident, leaving TJ and his grieving dad to move in with grandma to pick up the pieces. Hesher is a loner. He hates the world—and everyone in it. He has long, greasy hair and homemade tattoos. He likes fire and blowing things up. He lives in his van—until he meets TJ.

Hesher is that rare film that manages to be a completely original vision, a thoroughly entertaining story, and a provocative metaphor. Joseph Gordon-Levitt brings the character of Hesher to life with anger and angst, and Devin Brochu makes quite a splash as the young boy dealing with both the loss of his mother and an unwanted houseguest. Cowriter/director Spencer Susser crafts a multidimensional, darkly humorous film that exhibits an immensely talented storyteller at work.

Check out the film’s official site.

HESHER plays at the following times:

Friday, January 22nd at 3:15 PM at the Eccles Theatre in Park City
Saturday, January 23rd at 6:30 PM at Peery’s Egyptian Theater in Ogden
Sunday, January 24th at 11:15 AM at the Racquet Club in Park City
Wednesday, January 27th at 6:45 PM at the Broadway Centre Cinema V in Salt Lake City
Thursday, January 28th at 5:15 PM at the Racquet Club in Park City
and
Saturday, January 30th at 3:00 PM at the Egyptian Theatre in Park City

Stills: