Thumbsucker (2005)

Justin throws himself and everyone around him into chaos when he attempts to break free from his addiction to his thumb.

Director:

Mike Mills

Writers:

Walter Kirn (novel), Mike Mills

Stars:

Vincent D'Onofrio, Lou Taylor Pucci, Keanu Reeves

5 wins & 3 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Ted Beckman	...	Stoner Guy
Benjamin Bratt	...	Matt Schramm
Vincent D'Onofrio	...	Mike Cobb
Arvin V. Entena	...	Perry Lyman's Assistant
Tyler Gannon	...	Stoner Chick
Kelli Garner	...	Rebecca
Allen Go	...	Biology Teacher
Dakota Goldhor	...	Girl on Plane
Walter Kirn	...	Debate Judge
Kit Koenig	...	Principal
Sarah Lucht	...	English Teacher
Eric Normington	...	Hotel Desk Clerk
Nancy O'Dell	...	Herself
Lanette Prazeau	...	School Nurse
Lou Taylor Pucci	...	Justin Cobb (as Lou Pucci)

Storyline

Justin is a teenager boy, who has an oral obsession with his thumb. His mother seems to be a normal housekeeper, but she has her own obsessions as well, like a crush on a TV-star. The only person who's aware of Justin's problem is his father, manager in a store, but none of his advices seem to be working for Justin. The kid is signed up in a debate workshop, but the thing isn't going well, because he has his mind in a pretty classmate and, of course, in his thumb, affecting all the rest of his classes. So, Justin is a loner kid in the school, who prefers to lock himself in the bathroom and suck his thumb. Justin's dentist, a mystical-hippie person, will try to help to overcome his thumb problem, through the hypnosis. But the school's psychologist will diagnose Justin with the Attention Deficit Disorder, and will prescribe him some drugs. Suddenly, Justin's problem with his thumb will disappear, becoming an hyperactive genius, winning several debate contests and the admiration from his...

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Plot Keywords:

drugs | school | debate | dentist | drug addiction | 

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Genres:

Comedy | Drama

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated R for drug/alcohol use and sexuality involving teens, language and a disturbing image

Details

Official Sites:

Sony Pictures Classics [us]

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

28 October 2005 (Ireland)

Also Known As:

Basparmak

Filming Locations:

Beaverton, Oregon, USA

Box Office

Budget:

$4,000,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend:

$85,327 (USA) (16 September 2005)

Gross:

$1,325,073 (USA) (2 December 2005)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Bob Yari Productions, This Is That Productions, Cinema-Go-Go

Technical Specs

Runtime:

96 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Justin is browsing through a copy of 'Be Here Now,' Ram Dass' 1960s new-age classic, while in the orthodontist's waiting room.

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Goofs

It is stated that Ritalin and cocaine have only three molecules different. Both are actually single molecules. Although similar in shape, there are several atoms difference.

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Quotes

Dr. Perry Lyman: That's 'cause we all wanna be problemless. To fix ourselves. We look for some magic solution to make us all better, but none of us really know what we're doing. And why is that so bad? That's all we humans can do. Guess. Try. Hope. But, Justin, just pray you don't fool yourself into thinking you've got the answer. Because that's bullshit. The trick is living without an answer. I think.

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Crazy Credits

technical consultants ... the nurses at Providence St. Vincent Medical Center

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Connections

Featured in 2006 Independent Spirit Awards (2006)

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Soundtracks

"Trouble"
Written by Cat Stevens
Performed by Elliott Smith
Courtesy of DreamWorks Records
Under license from Universal Music Enterprises

User Reviews

Not your typical teenager

"Thumbsucker", one of the most original movies playing locally, deserves to be seen by a wider audience. Mike Mills, its director, has adapted Walter Kirn's novel with honesty and integrity, giving the viewer a picture of a young man and his family at a difficult time in their lives and how they relate and cope with the situation. This is no typical teenage coming of age as interpreted by Hollywood.

The film is an intelligent account of Justin's life and what makes him act the way he does. His home life seems to be the root of all the problems and his addiction to suck his thumb is a way to escape reality because he finds comfort in doing so. Justin is clearly a teenager in turmoil because he doesn't fit in the large scheme of things.

"Thumbsucker" makes a valid point about how easy it is to prescribe drugs for what seems to be afflicting Justin: Attention Deficit Disorder. In fact, what those pills are doing are creating a false security blanket for the young man, who awakens in time to realize the drug he is taking a form of "speed".

The work by Lou Taylor Pucci in the film is amazing. As Justin he shows an intelligence and naturalness well beyond his years. Tilda Swinton and Vincent D'Onofrio are seen as the confused parents. Keanu Reeves and Vince Vaughn make excellent appearances in roles that are different to what they usually play.

The film work because the good ensemble Mike Mills assembled for the movie.