Movie Review

Thumbsucker

Thumbsucker is a film that split me down the middle; I admired its ambition, but it didn't entirely succeed. Compared to all of the other movies out right now, though, this movie?s pretty decent, and I?m going to recommend it. This is a film that I thought would be in the genre of ?weird people doing weird things,? which is a home to such fare as Me and You and Everyone We Know (B-), Napoleon Dynamite (C+/B-), and Ghost World (B+), but it?s not necessarily like that. Thumbsucker is about teenage angst (focusing on a weirdo), but it?s also about adult angst. And while the attempt to combine the two subject matters is not entirely fulfilled, the film at least tries to say something profound, which, at this time in the marketplace, is something to be grateful for.

Justin Cobb (Lou Pucci) is a high school student who still sucks his thumb, which drives his parents mad. He also has trouble fitting in and might have emotional problems; he is unable to make speeches or focus on anything for too long. His debate teacher (played by Vince Vaughn) persuades Justin to try medication for his potential disorder, and Justin sees an immediate turnaround in what he is able to do. But as Justin?s mentality blossoms, it makes his parents (played by Tilda Swinton and Vincent D?Onofrio) realize how unfulfilling their own lives are.

The movie might sound like a depressing drama, but this is more of a quirky piece. Much of the comic relief comes from Keanu Reeves, who plays Justin?s dentist, who has philosophical theories about life and tries to be Justin?s psychiatrist as well. Reeves plays the role so over the top in seriousness that it?s hard not to at least chuckle at the material. This is one of those roles that could?ve been ultra-cheesy with the wrong casting, and it?s almost as if Reeves is poking fun of the very ideas he?s elaborating on, which makes it work.

Thumbsucker raises the question of whether teenagers are over-medicated to seem ?normal,? and makes a point about society?s obsession with being normal: what?s wrong with being different? The film also makes a point about how the younger generation can feel lost and may think that most adults are settled, when even some of them don?t know what they?re doing. This is a film more about life questions than of answers; it lets the viewer think about them.

That is compelling material, but the film has its soft spots. Benjamin Bratt plays a hot television actor whom Tilda Swinton is attracted to, and she tries to chase after him in secret (she is a psychiatrist for rehab patients and he ends up in a rehabilitation clinic). Their eventual brief confrontation offers a few thought-provoking notes, but it?s not very fulfilling considering that the story builds upon her infatuation throughout the film (thus, the payoff should be a big part). First that subplot just seems like cute plot filler, and it eventually goes somewhere, but doesn?t go far enough. Vincent D?Onofrio is given less to work with in comparison, and I mostly saw him as an actor trying to play a part rather than an actual character (this may not have been an ideal role for him). His character is having marriage problems, which makes his wife flirt with the idea of having an affair with the television figure (who seems to have such a great life).

Thumbsucker brings up some good issues about the human condition (including loneliness and personal fulfillment), but its focus isn?t tight enough to make a strong impression. There are some deadweight spots here and there that break up the momentum, and the emotional pull that the film is going for at the finale is not quite reached; one gets the impression that it?s the conclusion to a more powerful film. The film ultimately tries to be a commentary on what makes us happy in life, but unfortunately it doesn?t go the full distance. It?s not a bad film; it?s just a decent film that could?ve been more profound.

Lee's Grade: B-
Ranked #36 of 143 between Lila Says (#35) and Deuce Bigalow 2 (#37) for 2005 movies.

A	0.4%
B	30.0%
C	61.7%
D	8.0%
F	0.0%