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, Natalie Portman

1 win & 1 nomination.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Joseph Gordon-Levitt	...	Hesher
Devin Brochu	...	TJ
Rainn Wilson	...	Paul
Piper Laurie	...	Grandma
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:

bully | vomiting | funeral | male in underwear | long haired male | 

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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

Did You Know?

Trivia

Bearing the name of the director, a "Susser" brand cigarette advertisement hangs on the wall at Charlie's Food Towne, where Nicole (Natalie Portman) works.

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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

T.J.: Sorry I broke your lamp.
Nicole: It's okay.
T.J.: And I'm sorry I called you a fat prostitute.
Nicole: It's okay.
T.J.: You are not fat.

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Connections

References The Muppet Show (1976)

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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.

Details

Official Sites:

Official site [Japan]

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 USA:

$126,046, 15 May 2011

Gross USA:

$382,946

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$449,702

Company Credits

Production Co:

The Last Picture Company, American Work, CatchPlay

Technical Specs

Runtime:

106 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1