Hesher (2010)

A young boy has lost his mother and is losing touch with his father and the world around him. Then he meets Hesher who manages to make his life even more chaotic.

Director:

Spencer Susser

Writers:

Spencer Susser, David Michôd,

Stars:

Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Devin Brochu, Rainn Wilson

1 win & 1 nomination.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Joseph Gordon-Levitt	...	Hesher
Devin Brochu	...	T.J.
Rainn Wilson	...	Paul
Piper Laurie	...	Grandma Madeleine Forney
Natalie Portman	...	Nicole
Brendan Hill	...	Dustin
John Carroll Lynch	...	Larry
Monica Staggs	...	Mom
Mary Elizabeth Barrett	...	Meryl
Audrey Wasilewski	...	Coleen
Lyle Kanouse	...	Jack
Frank Collison	...	Funeral Director
Van Epperson	...	Angry Driver
Helen Slayton-Hughes	...	Mrs. Rosowski
Paul Bates	...	Mr. Elsberry

Storyline

T.J., a high school freshman, lost his mother two months' before in a car accident: his father pops pills and sits on the couch; his grandmother holds things together, chatting and cooking. T.J. wants the car back from the salvage yard where the owner's son is a bully. By happenstance, Hesher, a foul-mouthed squatter, moves in with T.J's family. T.J. also meets Nicole, a grocery clerk near poverty who helps him once. Hesher involves T.J. in crime, the bully is omnipresent, mom's car is slipping away, dad has checked out, T.J. watches Nicole at work, and his grandma invites him to join her morning walk: the odds are long that T.J. can assemble a family to help him thrive.

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Plot Keywords:

van | tattoo | fire | bicycle lock | older woman younger man relationship | 

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Taglines:

Sometimes life gives you the finger and sometimes it gives you...

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Genres:

Drama

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated R for disturbing violent behavior, sexual content including graphic dialogue, pervasive language, and drug content - some in the presence of a child

Details

Official Sites:

Official site Official site [jp]

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

25 June 2011 (Japan)

Also Known As:

Rebel

Filming Locations:

USA

Box Office

Budget:

$7,000,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend:

$126,046 (USA) (13 May 2011)

Gross:

$382,946 (USA) (29 July 2011)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Last Picture Company, The, American Work, CatchPlay

Technical Specs

Runtime:

106 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Elephants make several appearances in the film. Rainn Wilson's character is watching a TV show about elephants and we hear them in the background, the car dealership has a large pink elephant on the roof and beside t.j's bed there is a figurine of another elephant.

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Goofs

The cuts on TJ's face from the wrecking yard are on his left side when he falls and leaves, but he has them on his left side and they're already done scabbing and look like scars when Nicole (Natalie Portman) shows up at TJ's house the next day to apologize.

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Quotes

Mrs. Rosowski: Life is like walking in the rain... you can hide and take cover or you can just get wet.

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Connections

References The Muppet Show (1976)

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Soundtracks

"Anesthesia (Pulling Teeth)"
Written by Cliff Burton
Performed by Metallica

User Reviews

F**king amazing!

Seriously, I was not expecting this movie to be great. Somehow, when I saw the trailer, I knew I would enjoy it, but I definitely wasn't ready for what was to come. And that huge surprise made it even more amazing for me.

The movie is a drama about life with amusing bits of humor. About pain. About letting go and moving on. And as many good movies as there are, based on the same or similar ideas,this one really stands out. The reason for that is the VERY original element in the movie - the character - Hesher. He is a totally typical metal head, who doesn't give a rat's ass about anything. It's all about beer, sex and rock & roll for him. So you can imagine how impossible it seems for such a character to be someone's guru. And here he is exactly that. And if that doesn't sound impressive, then I don't know what does. It really is enjoyable to see a little kid learn about life from the experience being together with a metal-head, who doesn't play by anyone's rules but his own. And throughout the whole movie this crazy character never says anything even remotely polite or appropriate, always swears, and makes a lot of comments based on sex or violence, etc. So, in a way, his character is absolutely unique for both his absolute imperfection, and his ability to enlighten people in the most absurd way possible. And Joseph Gordon-Levitt did a fantastic job portraying him. This is, by far, one of his greatest performance's. Natalie Portman, on the other hand, this time did not shine as she does in most of her roles. But this is only because her character is not so important and dynamic and gets little on screen time. Because her acting IS flawless, as always, just that this time there was no way to really express her performing abilities here. And it's absolutely wonderful to see how the main character 'T.J.' is superbly portrayed by Devin Brochu, in my opinion,- a star waiting to get spotted.

It's beautiful for the drama. It's cool and funny for the insane character - Hesher. It's important for it's message. I definitely recommend this, especially to people, who are in need of comforting and are searching for a break.