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.

---

Plot Keywords:

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

---

Taglines:

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

---

Genres:

Drama

---

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:

California, 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

In the scene where Hesher criticizes T.J. for not taking walks with his grandmother, the man who he refers to that rapes old women was actually serial killer Albert DeSalvo, more commonly known as the "Boston Strangler."

---

Goofs

After a fender-bender, Nicole is unable to start her car. We can see that her front bumper is detached and one side is resting on the street. So Hesher gives her a ride. But after she walks back to her car, it starts and runs with no problems.

---

Quotes

Hesher: Do you think she shaves her pussy?

---

Connections

References The Muppet Show (1976)

---

Soundtracks

"Fight Fire With Fire"
Written by James Hetfield, Lars Ulrich and Cliff Burton
Performed by Metallica

User Reviews

Great movie

I saw Hesher at a "sneak peek" that a friend asked me to (being a fan of Hesher style music, I was a natural invite). Of course I loved the soundtrack, but the movie is great without the music. Hesher is a person that we have all known at some point in our lives (or have been at some point in our lives). He has problems but is trying to help those around them with their lives. From the boy who is one step shy of being an orphan to the young woman who suffers from very low self esteem, people look to Hesher for help and he delivers. His assistance may not be exactly what was expected, but it is helpful and does make for an entertaining and thoughtful movie.