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Thumbsucker (2005)

6.6
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Ratings: 6.6/10 from 15,848 users   Metascore: 69/100
Reviews: 90 user | 113 critic | 33 from Metacritic.com

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

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Title: Thumbsucker (2005)

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5 wins & 3 nominations. See more awards »

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Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Ted Beckman ...
Stoner Guy
...
Matt Schramm
...
Arvin V. Entena ...
Perry Lyman's Assistant
Tyler Gannon ...
Stoner Chick
...
Rebecca
Allen Go ...
Biology Teacher
Dakota Goldhor ...
Girl on Plane
...
Debate Judge
...
Principal
Sarah Lucht ...
English Teacher
Eric Normington ...
Hotel Desk Clerk
...
Herself
Lanette Prazeau ...
School Nurse
...
Justin Cobb (as Lou Pucci)
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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... Written by Alejandro Frias

Plot Summary | Plot Synopsis

Genres:

Comedy | Drama

Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated R for drug/alcohol use and sexuality involving teens, language and a disturbing image | See all certifications »

Parents Guide:

 »
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Details

Official Sites:

Country:

Language:

Release Date:

28 October 2005 (Ireland)  »

Also Known As:

Basparmak  »

Filming Locations:

 »

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

Show detailed on  »

Technical Specs

Runtime:

Sound Mix:

Color:

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1
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Did You Know?

Trivia

The director saw over 100 actors for the role of Justin. See more »

Goofs

Justin is charged $3.20 to mail a Business Reply envelope which is clearly marked "Postage Will Be Paid By Addressee". However, it is possible he intends to send it Priority Mail, which would have cost $3.20 in the time period of the original novel. See more »

Quotes

Justin Cobb: What's your power animal?
Dr. Perry Lyman: That's personal.
See more »

Crazy Credits

Special thanks to the people of Beaverton and Portland, Oregon, for their generous contributions to the making of this feature film. See more »

Connections

Referenced in Ebert Presents: At the Movies: Episode #2.1 (2011) See more »

Soundtracks

"Let's Get Lost"
Written by Elliott Smith
Performed by Elliott Smith
Courtesy of Anti, Inc.
See more »

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User Reviews

 
Two thumbs up!
30 November 2005 | by (Sydney, Australia) – See all my reviews

"Thumbsucker" doesn't suck, at all! It's also not just another teen-angst flick. It is a funny, thoughtful, and enjoyable movie. I would give this two thumbs up! Although the movie revolves around Justin, a thoughtful, sensitive, teenager who happens to have a rather nasty habit of sucking his thumb, it also shows his relationship with his parents, brother, teachers, his peers and his dentist, who all undergo their own personal development during the course of the movie.

Justin and his brother call their parents by their first names, and in the case of the Cobbs, this doesn't seem to increase or decrease the level of respect or obedience teenagers have for their parents. Justin and his mother Audrey seem to be alike - they both have crushes: he, for a girl in his debating class, and she, for an actor on daytime TV.

"Thumbsucker" shows that teenagers with a lot of parental love and support can also end up feeling alienated anyway. The path to adulthood is often fraught with anguish, mostly self-inflicted. But sometimes, meeting a mean girl who'd break your heart in a second can do that too.

The casting is excellent - I hadn't checked the cast list before watching it, and was pleasantly surprised to find so many known and good actors in it. Keanu Reaves was a surprise, and a hoot to watch. Tilda Swinton is one cool lady, and I will certainly be looking out for her other movies.


11 of 15 people found this review helpful.  Was this review helpful to you?

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