The Wackness (2008)

Director:

Jonathan Levine

Writer (WGA):

Jonathan Levine (written by)

Release Date:

29 August 2008 (UK)

Genre:

Comedy | Drama

Tagline:

Sometimes it's right to do the wrong things.

Plot:

It's the summer of 1994, and the streets of New York are pulsing with hip-hop. Set against this backdrop, Luke Shapiro (Josh Peck) spends his last summer before college selling dope throughout New York City, trading it with his shrink (Ben Kingsley) for therapy, while crushing on his step-daughter (Olivia Thirlby). |

Plot Keywords:

New York

Awards:

1 win & 1 nomination

US Showtimes:

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Cast

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

MPAA:

Rated R for pervasive drug use, language and some sexuality.

Runtime:

110 min | USA:95 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Sound Mix:

SDDS | Dolby Digital

Certification:

USA:R

Filming Locations:

New York City, New York, USA

Company:

Occupant Films

Quotes:

Luke Shapiro: Steph, just stop talking. Please just stop talking. But could you just stand there till I leave?
Stephanie: Why?
Luke Shapiro: I've never had my heart broken before.

Movie Connections:

References Forrest Gump (1994)

Soundtrack:

All the Young Dudes

The Wackness > All The Real Girls

This might get me into trouble with the film elite, but I found this film so much more real and absorbing than David Gordon Green's "All The Real Girls." They both deal with young men coming of age thanks to first love, but this film has such superior performances and writing. Expertly directed and stacked with some of the best hip hop of the nineties, it's a film that is hilarious, sad and moving, populated with great characters you'll enjoy spending a couple of hours with.

I really wish a film like this had found me in my teenage years, because it's so refreshing and honest. It's nice to watch a movie that celebrates the time honored art of owning and embracing the pain that makes you who you are.

People whine and bitch about the glut of hollow Hollywood formula flooding the marketplace, but a great little film like The Wackness with a strong voice is not getting the support it deserves.

The entire theater loved it, as did my friends I brought along who knew nothing about it.

Do yourself a favor and go see The Wackness. You won't be disappointed.