The Wackness Movie
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Storyline
TAGLINES
Sometimes it's right to do the wrong things.
Summer 1994. The girls were fly. The music was dope. And Luke was just trying to deal.
It's the summer of 1994, and the streets of New York are pulsing with hip-hop. Set against this backdrop, a lonely teenager named Luke Shapiro spends his last summer before university selling marijuana throughout New York City, trading it with his unorthodox psychotherapist for treatment, while having a crush on his stepdaughter.
| Ben Kingsley | Dr. Squires |
| Famke Janssen | Kristin Squires |
| Josh Peck | Luke Shapiro |
| Olivia Thirlby | Stephanie |
| Mary-Kate Olsen | Union |
| Jane Adams | Elanor |
| Method Man | Percy |
| Aaron Yoo | Justin |
| Talia Balsam | Mrs. Shapiro |
| David Wohl | Mr. Shapiro |
| Bob Dishy | Grandpa Shapiro |
| Joanna Merlin | Grandma Shapiro |
| Shannon Briggs | Body Guard #1 |
| Roy Milton Davis | Homeless Man |
| Alexander Flores | Kid in Bar |
| Jonathan Levine |
7.20 out of 10 (3096 votes)
Visitor Reviews
Indie Fo Sho
posted on 25 Aug 2009I couldn't quite find a word to describe this movie but after reading the other reviews I guess 'indie' would sum it up. This way I won't feel guilty about appreciating how kinda crappy it is(i said appreciate!). I am a fan of the 70's trash, 'so bad it's awesome' genre and in a way, this is very much like that. It's trying so very hard to be cool but misses the mark entirely, which is actually what I like about it! There are many faux pas in translating not only the script but the 90's to the big screen here(and 90's hip-hop is all sampled from funky 70's music which makes me think there might be a resurgence of 'trash' flicks all of which try to relive the 90's but fail....hmmmmm, would be nice). Anyway kind of amateur and pretentious while at the same time big(er) budget which are all key ingredients for good trash, er, I mean indie. Something about the dis-jointed directing and lack of belief of the actors in their own roles makes this an art-house winner in my books(plus i was 18 and very heavily immersed in east coast hip-hop in 1994!). Like any good Miles Davis Jazz/Rock fusion song, you feel held hostage for the duration, but the texture and awkwardness of it all keeps you watching(plus you might see something cool you haven't seen anywhere else). The cinematography is the film's saving grace, dark and ominous with some beautiful scenes. Check it yo!
The Wackness
posted on 15 Aug 2009This is one of those shambolic American indie debuts that has its head stuck in the clouds. Its only currency is pointless, insight-free nostalgia and quirky behaviour. Plot devices and character traits that qualify as fundamentally idiotic are too numerous to mention.Ben Kingsley's performance is reasonably enjoyable, but the lead profoundly misunderstands the character that he's playing, and the director is too busy getting shots of Forrest Gump posters or people playing on Game Boys to notice.It isn't wise or deft about anything, and it only comes to life when it draws attention to itself and is at its most pointless. Its also irritating and a little bit stupid. The making-of on the DVD revealed a couple of things; that writer/director Jonathan Levine is an insufferable, airheaded douchebag, and that everyone involved in the making of the film thought that they were making a comedy, which was news to me. Wackness indeed.
Now I am persuaded that the 90s were an interesting era
posted on 30 Jul 2009Josh Peck, going away from his stupid behavior as being a step-brother in Drake and Josh, and entering into a stupid behavior as being a drug dealer, virgin, and a ghetto rat in the middle of New York City.Do not take the little blurb about Josh Peck to seriously, I kid Peck. I thought he acted well in this movie along with the other supporting actors. What really attracted me to this movie was Ben Kingsley (Ghandi and Shindlers' List) and that told me that something was good about the movie like any other moviegoer.So this film takes place during the mid 90s were a few things were happening. Rudy Guliani was just elected mayor and everyone was against the way he acted as a mayor. Also, hip-hop was really flowing through the streets with the younger crowd. Two occurrences that were the main background of this film. Oh, yeah, and the large amount of scenes of drug use. The Wackness is about a kid named Luke who just graduated from high school. He makes his money by selling weed to men and women around NYC. But then he comes across a customer, Dr. Squires, who happens to be a therapist and makes a deal with Luke: Luke gives some weed to Dr. Squires and Dr. Squires will dedicate time out of his life to help Luke become an overall good human being. After this deal is made, Luke goes to his graduation ceremony and he sees Dr. Squires's stepdaughter, Stephanie, and Luke develops a crush with her. In this part of the film, we understand that Luke is a virgin like I said before and having a crush with a girl, being a virgin, and having others make fun of you because you can not get laid equals to Luke and his romance with Stephanie in this movie. And I say this once: do not watch this film if you like romantic movies, because in my opinion, this is not a romantic movie.And I will leave the story at that and let the rest of the movie unfold for you. Now this movie had some good qualities such as Josh Peck's acting. Now, I do not know about you, but I grew up watching Drake and Josh and seeing Josh Peck act like a total goof-ball. So to see him take on a role of being a kid in the middle of the urban streets of New York City was surprising from the time I saw the ad in the subway train to the moment I finished this movie. Also, I enjoyed some of the themes they talked about such as young love and having to grow up. Those themes were well displayed. But there were a few errors in this film that I have to address. For one thing, I do not know why they have to put a character acted by Mary Kate Olsen because this just gives proof that she can only act as Michelle in Full House and that is pretty much it. She was basically one of Luke's weed customers in this film and all she does is dance around stoned and act like a pointless head case. There were some parts of this film that were not needed as well. The raunchy dialogue was thrown in there just to show how Luke's neighborhood was grungy. Those scenes were only there because in case some suburban kid watches this movie, he/she would get the idea straight on that the setting in this movie is not only a ghetto, but a place that you did not want to hang out in. I am not stupid, I got the idea that the place was not the place to be in when I saw kids snorting cocaine, smoking marijuana, and having premarital sex within the first thirty minutes of the film. Also, I wished the moral of this film was a bit more spelled out. I mean, I got the moral of this film (and there is a moral to this film), but the film made the moral kind of sound stupid and tried to be a bit comical. To get the full understanding of the film, in my opinion, you have to really think about it and break it down.But other than that, if you really want to see Josh Peck rip out some better than decent acting and a coming-of-age story that is not dorky and melodramatic like those shows about stupid adolescents at a high school, watch this film and enjoy what Jonathan Levine's life was back when he was a kid because supposedly, this movie was semi-autobiographical. I give this movie a mid 7.
good coming of age in New York flick
posted on 04 Jul 2009Teenage drug dealer Luke Shapiro deals drugs in New York City through his ice cream cart. His parents are always fighting and about to be evicted. He is a confused but sweet soul. Psychiatrist Dr. Squires has a failing marriage, abuses drugs, regrets his past, and is in the midst of a midlife crisis. Luke is one of Dr. Squires patients and pays him in drugs for his services. The two form a strong relationship and soon the two unlikely friends are learning life lessons from one another. The friendship is strained when Luke falls for the doctor's daughter. The acting in this movie is great from Josh Peck as Luke and the always wonderful Ben Kingsley as Dr. Squires. There's also a small role by Mary-Kate Olsen as a free-spirit hippie. This movie works because all the relationships feel real and the script is top notch. New York City itself acts as it's own character and filming this in another city doubling for NYC would have been a bad move. A well directed film by Jonathan Levine. Good Stuff!
Worth the time and money.
posted on 06 Jun 2009This movie was a lot of fun and thought-provoking. Not for anyone who is sensitive to drug use or sex scenes. Lots of nostalgic references to what was going on in the early-mid 90's, particularly in New York. Ben Kingsley was absolutely hilarious throughout the film. While they list Mary Kate Olson as a cast member, she's really only in two quick scenes and overacts as her "free-spirited" character, rather like a drunk version of her character on Weeds. The movie takes place in New York in the summer of '94 after the lead character Luke Shapiro's high school graduation. He's a virgin who wants to get laid, sells weed out of a vendor cart, befriends his therapist, and falls in love with his therapists step-daughter. Worth the time and money. Two thumbs up.
By Wackness, you mean Freshness
posted on 19 May 2009The Wackness should be titled more like The Freshness, as this was one of the freshest movies I have seen in a long time. Thank you, thank you for hitting the head on not only the teen angst/love/nerd/high school issues, but also enabling an older audience to relate by adding the Ben Kingsley character and the complexity that came with him. It was beautiful, the sepia tones, the heat from the New York City streets, the emotions, and the actors. It was definitely a bit melancholy, but worth the sadness. It has that indie vibe to it, but with the stars in the cast to make it more widespread and give it a larger audience. The hip hop and the soundtrack are fly to say the least, and are a great accompaniment to the scenes in the film. Check The Wackness out!
A powerful film, and a real step in the door for Josh Peck
posted on 13 May 2009It's NYC in the summer of 1994, during an unbearable heat wave. Luke Shapiro (Josh Peck) just graduated high school, he's a bit of a loner, and he deals marijuana throughout the five burrows He even deals to his psychiatrist, Dr. Jeff Squires MD (Ben Kingsley) in exchange for therapy sessions which he remains rather tight-lipped in anyway. After graduation he starts to build a friendship, and soon relationship, with Squires step-daughter Stephanie (Olivia Thirlby.) What ensues is a three month trip into drugs, sex, rap music, mid-life crisis, divorce, eviction, and heart break.When my friend told me to see this film I was unsure. I mean, I knew Josh Peck from his Nickelodeon show with Drake Bell, and God knows Bell hasn't made a film I care to see. This however, was completely different. Instead of sticking to stupid humor in order to keep the kids on his side (like Bell has) Josh Peck decided to flex his actor muscles in "The Wackness." It was definitely a shock to hear Peck curse, talk about his sexual quests, let alone dealing and using drugs. I will say now this is not a film for his Nickelodeon fan-base. Ben Kingsley, though maybe not at his best, is still amazing as an embodiment of the hippie generation going through mid-life crisis, and the support roles of by Mary-Kate Olsen and Method Man are actually rather well done and don't hinder the film by being too big or too small.Some people may feel that the fact that all the characters are drug-dealers/users it makes it hard to really connect to or care about them, but I feel the aspect of their actions don't overshadow the aspect of their personalities. A line that really made me connect to Peck's character of Luke personally is when he is talking to Steph about why they never hung out in school. He states that he was "The coolest of the nerds" and she counters is say what is he was "the nerdiest of the cool kids" which is exactly what I was in high school.It's hard to see the film giving you a message or a meaning until the very end. Jonathan Levine makes sure he takes you to rock-bottom before he brings you back to a place of somewhat peace. I won't try and tell you what the movie is saying, that's not something you can be told, it's the opinion of the viewer. I advise anyone who can to see this film to so, because it has proved to me that Josh Peck will be one of the next big actors to hit Hollywood.
The Wackness, Aptly Named
posted on 03 May 2009This movie was excellent. Aptly named for the lives of those in the movie. City life is hard. A lot going on. Lots of different people with different ways of living and thinking. When two kids from different backgrounds hook up, the one more down to Earth falls in love with the one who stays in the clouds. Heartbreak and pain, the thing that lasts is friendship between men. Pills, psychiatry, summer break from high school, weed, 40 ounce malt liquor, drugged out party, teenage love affair, drug dealin', cop-dodgin', suicide-attemptin', love-gift-sharin', family in-fightin', marital disconnection, and a whole lot more!
Terrific film, Kingsley is Great
posted on 23 Apr 2009I had only heard the premise of the movie when I picked it up at Blockbuster the other day. While it is not the greatest movie of all time, it is surely in my top 10 of 2008. Not being a fan of Josh Peck, by the end of the movie I could sympathize with his character and I could actually take him seriously. The first half of the movie, I kept comparing Luke Shapiro to Josh Nichols from "Drake and Josh." However, despite others' beliefs, I feel that Peck played the role of Shapiro very well. But even more amazing was Ben Kingsley. Not being a fan of Kingsley either, I had only seen him in "Dave" and "Lucky Number Slevin" and I really didn't know what to expect. He played his part as the drug-addicted pyschiatrist very well and I felt a connection with his character more than Peck's.The movie begins in what I assume is May of 1994 as Luke Shapiro (Peck) is graduating from high school. With the summer approaching and his family making money, Luke is selling more drugs than he usually does, including to his psychiatrist, Dr. Squires (Kingsley), and Squires' stepdaughter, Stephanie. After a night in jail with Dr. Squires, Luke and Stephanie hit it off and Luke is sure that he's found love. But Dr. Squires thinks differently. As the summer goes on and the heat rises in New York City, Dr. Squires and Luke start reevaluating their lives and trying to find the real meaning of their time on Earth. What starts as a coming-of-age film ends as a deep study of the parallels between young and old. "The Wackness" is a deep and solid film with great performances from Kingsley and Peck. I know exactly why the film was recognized at Sundance. Highly recommended.9/10
Unspoiled, fresh, and realistic
posted on 23 Apr 2009This film brings back an appreciation for whatever the movies have forgotten in recent years. Alternative filmmakers, as well as serious writers tend to believe that unless they write something really absurd, "challenging" or very different, they are not giving us substantial or entertaining material. It is very possible to write a story with a message and "meat" without trying so hard to be different. However, Hollywood and critics in particular appear to believe that unless it tries very hard to be different, it is not good or very original. Somehow, this syndrome brings back to mind some of the eateries around Hollywood, some of which go belly up so quickly because well, pasta and chocolate just don't mix like good old fashioned meat sauce and pasta do... just a thought. Still there is that good old hot dog place, and the lines just keep getting longer."The Wackness" has some new faces and some old faces, and what they have in common is that all of the actors are really good, really good at telling a simple but heartfelt story about life can drag you down if you let it, but there is always room for hope, and sometimes, we just make it so hard on ourselves that we might just choose the wrong option. Ben Kingsley, who has been recently making quite a comeback, plays an unorthodox psychologist, a man who barters his services in exchange for some rather peculiar stuff from one of his clients. He looks different, acts a bit odd, but in his heart, he dispenses what he is supposed to: good and honest advice. If he could only apply that to his own life.At the center of the story, there is a young man, who is overwhelmed by everyday matters, and it is not helpful that his own family is not quite a model one. He yearns for affection, advice, guidance, and some human touch. What has allowed to him survive is his common sense and his ability to make money. In order to grow up, he must confront his own self, deal with a couple of unexpected newcomers in his life, and he must move on.It is a simple film, accompanied by a killer soundtrack that is a true reflection of the way some people communicate; whereas "Henry Poole" was accompanied by a totally annoying and unnecessary collection of pop numbers, the music in "Wackness" helps you understand the moods and thoughts of the various people in the story. We have all put together a mix tape to search for a connection with someone who means something special. In the film, they are heartfelt gestures, and they enhance the atmosphere, instead of detracting from the main ideas.This movie might in fact, become a classic in its own right, because like others before it, offers a window into the souls of its characters, and as a consequence, today's society. We might have changed our hairstyles, customs, and furniture, but we are still humans, and in this century, we are not too far from the angst that made films like "The Graduate" or "GWTW" classics.We still give a damn.
wow a breath of fresh air.....................
posted on 15 Apr 2009all i can say is WOW this movie blew me away Jonathan Levine is a name high on my list from this day on,Josh Peck is brilliant gives the look of someone unassuming and weirdly wonderful in this truly intriguing movie,original from start to finish doesn't lack character in no end,in our current climate a film can change your heart and outlook on things in life maybe more simple than they really are a must see for anyone.through love and life Luke tries to meet challenges in life that in his eyes are easy and weird,he meets Dr. Squires his life's takes twists and turns but stands still at the same,Dr squires character is great made me laugh so much i cried,Ben Kingsley plays his role so well as usual,this movie is well written directed and acted please watch under no assumptions or aspirations.a must see film of 2008
Kingsley and Peck craft a new classic coming-of-age tale
posted on 11 Apr 2009"The Wackness," director Jonathan Levine's eagerly-awaited followup feature to "All the Boys Love Mandy Lane," premiered at the 2008 Sundance Film Festival and was immediately acquired by Sony Pictures Classics. I wasn't able to catch it at the time. Fortunately, "The Wackness" was presented in a special midnight screening not on the official SXSW Film Festival schedule. It was a special treat and quite an unexpected surprise."The Wackness" is basically a two-man show, with Ben Kingsley and Josh Peck as psychiatrist Dr. Squires and his patient Luke Shapiro. The twist? One deals drugs and the other takes them. But guess who buys and who sells? And did I mention that Luke not only doles out weed to his doctor but also dates his daughter? Ahh yes...the plot thickens. Yet Squires and Shapiro forge an unlikely friendship not unlike two college buddies -- the boy is just a bit too mature for his age and the man a bit too immature, and they meet at about the same intellectual level.Penned by director Levine, it's a complex storyline but "The Wackness" is ultimately a character-driven piece. Kingsley's performance is a tour de farce in a daring and risky role unlike anything we've seen -- this ain't your father's Gandhi. Josh Peck, best known as television's Josh of "Josh & Drake" and to indie lovers as George, the tormented victim in "Mean Creek," is the biggest surprise here. He carries this film on his shoulders like a veteran. Olivia Thirlby ("Snow Angels," "Juno") is delightful as the object of Luke's affection.Production values belie the film's modest budget, especially given the cost of a location period piece -- "The Wackness" is set in New York City 1994. Music of the era naturally provides the backdrop for the duo's drug-dealing days and party nights. Drugs (selling and taking) seem to be ubiquitous in the films I've seen here at SXSW and "The Wackness'" overindulgence can be hard to watch at times. But what could have strayed into a silly variation on "Dazed & Confused" (or the recent "Charlie Bartlett") is, instead, a touching coming-of-age story as relevant today as ever. The fact that the film remains grounded in semi-reality is a tribute to the talents of Kingsley and Peck in the hands of director Jonathan Levine. This director is a force to be reckoned with now that he has "All the Boys Love Mandy Lane" and "The Wackness" under his belt.
One of the best this year
posted on 28 Feb 2009On Saturday, May 3rd, 2008 I was able to attend the west coast premiere of "The Wackness" at the Sundance Kabuki Cinemas in San Francisco. I had paid $150 just so me and my two friends could see it and it was money well spent. The movie grabs you from the start and doesn't let up until it ends.set in New York 1994 it is a story about a troubled drug dealer Luke Shapiro(played excellently by Josh Peck) who has struck a deal with his therapist Dr.Squires(Ben Kingsley in one of his best performances in many years) in which he will trade him weed in exchange for sessions. Along the way he falls for Dr.Squires' step-daughter Stephanie(played by the extremely talented Olivia Thirlby).What makes this movie so great is it's focus on the characters. No character is perfect. Each has a set of his or her own flaws. Each character is written well and not just a simple stereotype. Each actor feels like they were meant for the role they were given. Ben Kingsley and Josh Peck create some of the best scenes in movie history. Olivia Thirlby has demonstrated range from JUNO to SNOW ANGELS to this. She took what could have been a one-dimensional character into something magnificent. She is a great actress who I hope to keep on seeing in the future.It also featured a good selection of songs from 1994 that help the flow of this movie.I have not cried at a movie in years. But I cried during this. It is a beautiful coming of age tale that quite a few people can relate to. Johnathan Levine, who directed this masterpiece, has a bright future ahead of him. He is talented and and makes this movie sincere. This movie is a well-written piece of cinematic heaven. I hope it can find it's audience when it is released to theaters.Also I hope they release an extended version or at least the deleted scenes with the DVD as the director told the audience that there was about 40 minutes of cut out from the finished product.
You getting down with the Wackness... No not really!
posted on 26 Feb 2009I've seen this film a thousand times before.Yes different actors, different directors, different camera styles but there was nothing new about this coming of age drama.The first film it really reminded me of was Richard Linklater's Slacker however. In both tone and style it seemed to drift in some of the ways Slacker had done but whilst Linklater's film just let itself go The Wackness tries to incorporate some type of gravitas. This is possibly the fault of the studio rather than the director but it is hard to tell (and as it was written by the director...).The real shame in all of this is all the actors are so good. Well chosen and correct for the roles they are handling. Peck and Thirlby stand up as equals to their more experienced counterparts and I will be looking out for both these actors in the future.Direction is also fine and dandy, if a tad slow, and cinematography is excellent too although I had some issues with the use of colour - although I would put that down to personal preference.The love story(s) in the centre of the film seemed too generic and often the film seemed to be trying to pull the laughs out of the audience rather than concentrate on what was happening in the story. Again the film would have been finer without the audience manipulation there and there is one point early in the movie where you question if our protagonist is going to start speaking to the camera. Something I thought would have made the film more exciting but sadly not the case.There is nothing wrong with this film but as previously stated nothing new.
Left Me Feeling Quite Melancholy, but Satisfied
posted on 16 Feb 2009The Wackness is an extremely difficult movie to figure out. On one hand, writer/director Jon Levine paints a captivating story around the friendship of two identifiable protagonists in depressed teenage drug dealer Luke Shapiro, played by an up-to-the-task Josh Peck, and eccentric shrink, Dr. Squires, played by a barely up to the task Ben Kingsley. On the other hand, the script itself struggles to find a tone largely fumbling the 1994 NYC setting and ultimately dabbling with dark comedy, philosophy 101, and drug/party filled 90s teenage musings without really nailing down any thematic voice. The movie does succeed in escaping its hazy plot lines and sophomoric personalities with several great one-liners, some decent character development, and a conclusion that left me satisfied but nevertheless a bit sad --which is not a bad thing. Of the 80% filled NYC theater I saw it in, 10 people walked out, the rest applauded at the end. Its that kind of movie. One of the biggest problems with the movie is its failure to use the 1994 New York City setting to its fullest. As a product of this time and place I felt cheated because Mr. Levine chooses to exploit tid-bits of the culture without ever really showing any substance. We hear references to Kurt Cobain and Phish, we see Luke playing Nintendo NES, we hear a good selection of Biggie, Wu-Tang Clan, and Tribe Called Quest and several references to the Guliani gestapo police, but Levine failed to create a teenage period piece to rival Dazed and Confused, Kids, or Mallrats to name a few more recent ones. The cinematography is good, and adds a vintage type feel to the NYC background, but as a cultural snapshot of a time in NYC history, this movie falls flat. However, Levine was perhaps preoccupied with a greater goal than a period piece. Shapiro and Dr. Squires are not easy characters to support. Shapiro is a bulk sales weed dealer, with no friends, and a stunted sex life. I think many people will be able to relate to him either directly or indirectly and will enjoy following his teenage "coming of age" tribulations as I did. Kingsley, as Squires, has a tough role and at times plays the stoner shrink as though he has early onset Alzheimer's disease. Its not an easy role, his character is a walking contradiction who mixes decent psychological advice with occasional moments of idiocy. At times he nails it down, at others he comes across as the drunk uncle at Thanksgiving dinner that we are all a bit embarrassed for, but this was probably Levine's intention. Amidst writing that ebbed and flowed at a mediocre level, the dialog between Shapiro and Squires had some knock outs and worked its way up to a satisfying conclusion. The peripheral characters perform admirably when asked, except for Famke Jannsen who failed to show up for her role as Squires' numb to life wife. If you have ever turned to the recreational consumption of drugs or any other vice as an escape from life or to just 'deal' with life, you will find both Shapiro and Squires much much much more sympathetic and in some ways touching characters. The story of the young Shapiro and old Squires blends the themes of 'soothing your growing pains through drugs (mostly marijuana)' versus the 'trying to go back to your youth and escape your adulthood' through drugs. People who can appreciate or relate to such plot lines will find this movie much more touching than those who cant.
too quirky for its own good
posted on 16 Feb 20091994-a kid graduating high school forms a friendship with a shrink to whom he sells weed. The kid has the hots for the shrinks daughter...step daughter. Its a story that takes place in 1994 when Rudy Giuliani was just in office as mayor.Good but annoyingly mannered (its constantly referring to the fact its 1994, everyone smokes in big clouds, and other quirks that keep being repeated) story that has some great lines, some great characters and this annoying manner that is so in your face you want to scream "okay I know I get it". What were they thinking? Why do we have to put up with these constant visual cues (the smoke) and aural cues (the music-which is good) and the time warp references? Its like being hit over the head. Whats worse is that there are several lines of dialog that are out of place for 1994, like peace out.In all honesty this could have been one of the better films of the year-and in pieces probably still is- if it didn't insist on show casing these annoying quirks.Worth a try on cable
A lovely film
posted on 04 Feb 2009I walked into this film with 0 expectations having received pre-screener passes from a local record store. This is a beautifully filmed true to life story which I felt held very deep meaning about the beauty that is the start and end of relationships. We follow the summer of two very different men in who are in very similar mindsets dealing with the personal crises, quiet pleasures, new experiences, and endless repetition that is life. This is a realistic and philosophical film that the label "comedy" does not do justice, but there are steady laughs throughout the film, especially for those of us who grew up in the 1990s. Only let-down was Mary-Kate Olsen, who I simply couldn't buy in her role, fortunately, it's a very small part.
Heartfelt Film That Takes You Back In Time
posted on 31 Jan 2009I have never felt a movie hit so close to home like The Wackness. This was a true tale of a teenager who fears that where he is in his life is the high point of all experiences. Through his summer, he is bombarded with hardships that could easily tear any 17 year old down. Instead, Shapiro takes his new experiences and lets them build him up as a man. I enjoyed watching this transformation.This movie also made me miss the 90s. Things like the Forrest Gump advertisement, the old school music, the Nintendo and the tape cassettes really brought authenticity into the movie and gave it the feel it was going for. The movie was smart in the fact that the music was always apart of the environment, and not just a random track playing.All performances were honest and terrific. With many poor films filling 2008, I hope one day The Wackness is rediscovered. It sure deserved to gross more than say, Twilight.
Teenage-angst boredom
posted on 27 Jan 2009It's a coming-of-age story for the millennial generation, and if you're not in that demographic, it has a limited appeal. It's a bildungsroman, an exercise in teen-age angst for the 90s, which includes stoner / doper humor and sensibility. Not my shtick. I found it utterly boring meaningless. Perhaps had I been much much younger than I am, I would have been enchanted. Perhaps what we need, when we read movie reviews, is some coded indication of which demographic group this movie is aimed at so we can be alerted to avoid it, if we don't belong. Demographics are the marketing imperative of the movie industry and one is doomed to disappointment if one falls outside of that criterion.
Levine, Peck, and Kingsley lay down some compelling Wackness
posted on 27 Aug 2009"The Wackness" goes back to a time in New York that you wouldn't exactly call its golden age. Before 1994 you couldn't walk down the street without seeing drug dealers, prostitution, and various other forms of illegal activities. Graffiti was everywhere. Time Square was not known for Broadway theater but rather porno theater. The squeegee homeless guys were out in full force ready to make a buck off your car whether you wanted them to or not. Some of this I remember (who could forget the squeegee guys) but most of it I've heard through stories over the years. It's an interesting topic and if you throw in Method Man, Famke Janssen, Ben Kingsley and Mary-Kate Olsen, plus a steamy make-out session between the last two actors, and I'm all over this movie.The film is set during the summer of 1994 where newly inaugurated Mayor Rudy Giuliani has vowed to clean up the city but in the meantime, Luke Shapiro (Josh Peck) is getting by the best he can. It's his last summer before college and he's spending it selling weed around the city and even trading it to his shrink, Dr. Squires (Ben Kingsley), to get free psychoanalysis. Luke is known as a burn-out and an unpopular, the only reason people know him is because they buy their drugs off him. Squires' is trapped in a loveless marriage and takes a wide assortment of medication just to get through a day. During this summer the two begin a friendship and Luke crushes on Squires' Step-daughter Stephanie (Olivia Thirlby). Lessons are learned."The Wackness" proves to be a much better movie than I anticipated, primarily taking a coming of age story and combining it with a dealing with age story and basically equaling out to a pretty heartfelt movie about a friendship between a scared and lonely kid coming into his own and an older man whose best years have passed him by. There are some really laugh-out loud funny moments having to do with sex, masturbation, and such nostalgic 90's items as high top pumps, 90210, and Kurt Cobain, plus the soundtrack filled with old school hip-hop artists like LL and Biggie really bring you back to the 90's. Levine has also created a free-spirited New York, end of an era in a lot of ways in that he makes the point that Giuliani's approach to cleaning up the city is more harmful than good. I liked the correlation he makes between Giuliani's quick fix New York and Luke and Squires' ongoing struggle with life's hard-ships ..Peck and Kingsley are also fantastic in their roles, and they both make the movie. Peck gives Luke a stoned drawl but also finds the innocence and naïve thinking to make him a vulnerable and identifiable character. And Kingsley is at his quirky best as a man so starved for more life that it's actually making him go a little loopy. The rest of the cast is basically there for cameo appearances, but they fulfill a need in other ways. Thirlby, Janssen, and Mary Kate Olsen each come across as little more than sexy props, but they help to prove just how female-challenged Luke and Squires' really are. And Method Man has two scenes as a drug dealer but nothing too memorable."The Wackness" is about two guys and the city though, and Peck, Kingsley, and Levine each do a really excellent job of making that into a funny and compelling movie.