Genres

Visitors Review

larry-411 2012-05-25 03:43:23

Kingsley and Peck craft a new classic coming-of-age tale

"The Wackness," director Jonathan Levine's eagerly-awaited followupfeature to "All the Boys Love Mandy Lane," premiered at the 2008Sundance Film Festival and was immediately acquired by Sony PicturesClassics. I wasn't able to catch it at the time. Fortunately, "TheWackness" was presented in a special midnight screening not on theofficial SXSW Film Festival schedule. It was a special treat and quitean unexpected surprise."The Wackness" is basically a two-man show, with Ben Kingsley and JoshPeck as psychiatrist Dr. Squires and his patient Luke Shapiro. Thetwist? One deals drugs and the other takes them. But guess who buys andwho sells? And did I mention that Luke not only doles out weed to hisdoctor but also dates his daughter? Ahh yes...the plot thickens. YetSquires and Shapiro forge an unlikely friendship not unlike two collegebuddies -- the boy is just a bit too mature for his age and the man abit too immature, and they meet at about the same intellectual level.Penned by director Levine, it's a complex storyline but "The Wackness"is ultimately a character-driven piece. Kingsley's performance is atour de farce in a daring and risky role unlike anything we've seen --this ain't your father's Gandhi. Josh Peck, best known as television'sJosh of "Josh & Drake" and to indie lovers as George, the tormentedvictim in "Mean Creek," is the biggest surprise here. He carries thisfilm on his shoulders like a veteran. Olivia Thirlby ("Snow Angels,""Juno") is delightful as the object of Luke's affection.Production values belie the film's modest budget, especially given thecost of a location period piece -- "The Wackness" is set in New YorkCity 1994. Music of the era naturally provides the backdrop for theduo's drug-dealing days and party nights. Drugs (selling and taking)seem to be ubiquitous in the films I've seen here at SXSW and "TheWackness'" overindulgence can be hard to watch at times. But what couldhave strayed into a silly variation on "Dazed & Confused" (or therecent "Charlie Bartlett") is, instead, a touching coming-of-age storyas relevant today as ever. The fact that the film remains grounded insemi-reality is a tribute to the talents of Kingsley and Peck in thehands of director Jonathan Levine. This director is a force to bereckoned with now that he has "All the Boys Love Mandy Lane" and "TheWackness" under his belt.

KyDRoH 2012-05-24 16:28:50

Great Movie with a Great Story

Looking at the movie from a cast stand point i wasn't impressed butmore curious how people like Josh Peck Evolve in to a character likethis. But i must say that he has really grown up from his Nick days andreally has the acting together. It's only weird to see how Josh issmoking in this movie and deals drugs coming from his kid days but hereally pulled it off.With the help of actors like Ben Kingsley en Famke Janssen (who is bythe way Dutch)this movie gets a great feeling of a story developing andin some way making Kingsley suicidal like. With these elements you canfeel the way Luke goes through life and actually see him grow him up alittle bit.Overall it was a great movie to enjoy when you really want a good storyand a little bit of a 1994 feeling. With a little bit of the hip hopscene and even a walk men which i thought was great in put to the 1994scene.

2012-05-15 04:23:52

One of the worst movies I've ever seen

The main character has zero personality or character development. I don't think he closes his mouth the entire movie, and it's not because he's talking - he's apparently just trying to catch flies. The movie is all about him, but there's absolutely no reason to care about him - and by extension, the movie.We're supposed to believe that this dorky virgin whiteboy is going to walk through New York by himself with a cart full of weed on an ongoing basis? This guy wouldn't have lasted an hour without getting jacked or arrested. And of course, a hot girl falls for him for no apparent reason. The whole movie is boring and terribly unrealistic, and it's torture to sit through it.I was a teenager in the 90s and listened to a lot of the music in this movie, so this isn't a case of my being the wrong demographic. There is just no right demographic for this dungpile of a movie.

Adrian 2012-05-15 01:12:59

Promising Start, Lousy ending

NO SPOILERS:The only reason why I continued watching this was because I thought Olivia Thirlby was "refreshingly attractive"Josh Peck did ok and I expected more of Ben Kingsley. This movie had an interesting start, till but the plot was flat.

danecookgirl 2012-05-14 13:20:44

Touching and moving

I decided to check out this movie because of all the hype thatsurrounded its release. I was surprised by how much the story moved me.You can't help but care for Luke because he cares so deeply for thepeople who surround him. Levine puts in a lot of little details thatinvoke the 90s like those sneakers that you can pump. The musicselection was great. It was kind of disturbing watching Mary-Kate Olsenand Ben Kingsley together. On that same note, Ben Kingsley was great asthe pathetic and hilariously misguided mentor of Luke. The film had alot of understated humor. The dialogue was realistic. The film is aheart wrenching, nostalgic, and sometimes painful look at atransitioning point in a boy's life. All in all, I give The Wackness a9 out of 10.

2012-05-14 00:44:32

The Wackness

This review is from: The Wackness [Blu-ray] (Blu-ray) This movie is one of my favorites. First time I saw it I did not have very high expectations because the lead was being played by a Nickelodeon star, but Josh Peck did a fantastic job. Ben Kingsley, like always delivered a spectacular performance. This movie makes you think about life as a whole. It is also accompanied by a head bobbing hip-hop soundtrack, with songs performed by artists such as Craig Mack, Krs-One, A Tribe Called Quest, The Notorious B.I.G. and many more. I would definitely recommend this movie as a great watch for whatever mood your in.

Enchorde 2012-05-11 09:12:47

Odd characters lift a peculiar movie

Recap: Luke is depressed, kind of loner, virgin and worrying about hisparents constant arguing and financial troubles. So he goes to see ashrink, Dr Jeffrey Squires, who fortunately for Luke accepts marijuana,something Luke as a small time dealer got plenty of, as payment fortheir sessions. Problem is, Squires is probably just as depressed asLuke. His marriage is practically over and he has lost touch with hiswife completely. He is also depressed over his lost youth and uses tomuch prescription drugs. The both of them form an odd friendship, notclear who is the adult one. And finally Luke falls for Squiresstepdaughter, Stephanie.Comments: A peculiar movie, mostly with the characteristics of a dramabut quite a few elements of an odd humor and comedy in it. Especiallythe character of Squires and his manners are often both irrational andabsurd, and oddly funny. Not at all a movie that I laughed at, or with,but a movie that I couldn't help smiling at at times.Josh Peck plays the lead as Luke, but it is the veteran Ben Kingsleythat really steals the show as Squires. It is indeed an odd character,but somehow he manages to pull it off as completely believable, anddespite his massive faults, someone I actually sympathized with. Thecharacter of Squires and Kingsley's portrayal of him makes it all worthseeing this movie, even though the other parts are a bit slow.Something to see on a slow day.6/10

2012-05-10 20:00:16

No-Way-Street

It seems, this New York 1994-year-story of the Luke Shapiro-a school graduate from a Jewish descent is a logical sequence to Mendy, and Holy Rollersbecause of presenting the secular Jews' similar drugs-money-making-with-goyem problems.A boy graduates school, supporting himself by selling drugs and attending a psychologist for advice, being financially better than parents of him also a later evicted family residues further in a block-of-flats on 42nd.East as understood from a screened panoramic still of NYC.No drama is at the end but simply a no-way-street as both young and mature men are sucked into sex, drugs and lack of human warmness.

2012-05-07 12:01:21

the wackness review

this movie has a good feeling to it.escape life to classic hip hop and the streets of New York City

zepher523 2012-05-07 03:50:37

The Dopeness

I have been looking forward to seeing this film since I first heardabout it. The first thing that attracted it to me was that Josh Peckwas in it. I never thought he was a good actor but in the preview Ithought he looked experienced. Then I saw that Ben Kingsley was in itand I knew I had to give it a look.The Wackness is about a depressed teenager who is treated badly byalmost everyone he knows. To cope with this Luke Shapiro (Josh Peck)sells weed. One of his clients is a psychotherapist. Dr. Squires (BenKingsley) trades his company to Shapiro for weed. Shapiro tries to findways to cope with his life and Squires tells him that he needs a girl.Shapiro then falls for Dr. Squire's daughter, which adds a bunch of newemotions into the plot.This is movie is a roller coaster of emotions and is a good movie aboutthe life of a depressed teenager. Josh Peck and Ben Kingsley make themovie with their brilliant acting, but Olivia Thirlby is just as good.I encourage everyone to give this movie a look. I'm glad I did and I'msure you will be too.[7/10]

aharmas 2012-05-04 22:17:57

Unspoiled, fresh, and realistic

This film brings back an appreciation for whatever the movies haveforgotten in recent years. Alternative filmmakers, as well as seriouswriters tend to believe that unless they write something really absurd,"challenging" or very different, they are not giving us substantial orentertaining material. It is very possible to write a story with amessage and "meat" without trying so hard to be different. However,Hollywood and critics in particular appear to believe that unless ittries very hard to be different, it is not good or very original.Somehow, this syndrome brings back to mind some of the eateries aroundHollywood, some of which go belly up so quickly because well, pasta andchocolate just don't mix like good old fashioned meat sauce and pastado... just a thought. Still there is that good old hot dog place, andthe lines just keep getting longer."The Wackness" has some new faces and some old faces, and what theyhave in common is that all of the actors are really good, really goodat telling a simple but heartfelt story about life can drag you down ifyou let it, but there is always room for hope, and sometimes, we justmake it so hard on ourselves that we might just choose the wrongoption. Ben Kingsley, who has been recently making quite a comeback,plays an unorthodox psychologist, a man who barters his services inexchange for some rather peculiar stuff from one of his clients. Helooks different, acts a bit odd, but in his heart, he dispenses what heis supposed to: good and honest advice. If he could only apply that tohis own life.At the center of the story, there is a young man, who is overwhelmed byeveryday matters, and it is not helpful that his own family is notquite a model one. He yearns for affection, advice, guidance, and somehuman touch. What has allowed to him survive is his common sense andhis ability to make money. In order to grow up, he must confront hisown self, deal with a couple of unexpected newcomers in his life, andhe must move on.It is a simple film, accompanied by a killer soundtrack that is a truereflection of the way some people communicate; whereas "Henry Poole"was accompanied by a totally annoying and unnecessary collection of popnumbers, the music in "Wackness" helps you understand the moods andthoughts of the various people in the story. We have all put together amix tape to search for a connection with someone who means somethingspecial. In the film, they are heartfelt gestures, and they enhance theatmosphere, instead of detracting from the main ideas.This movie might in fact, become a classic in its own right, becauselike others before it, offers a window into the souls of itscharacters, and as a consequence, today's society. We might havechanged our hairstyles, customs, and furniture, but we are stillhumans, and in this century, we are not too far from the angst thatmade films like "The Graduate" or "GWTW" classics.We still give a damn.

x-eric 2012-05-04 10:57:16

One of the best this year

On Saturday, May 3rd, 2008 I was able to attend the west coast premiereof "The Wackness" at the Sundance Kabuki Cinemas in San Francisco. Ihad paid $150 just so me and my two friends could see it and it wasmoney well spent. The movie grabs you from the start and doesn't let upuntil it ends.set in New York 1994 it is a story about a troubled drug dealer LukeShapiro(played excellently by Josh Peck) who has struck a deal with histherapist Dr.Squires(Ben Kingsley in one of his best performances inmany years) in which he will trade him weed in exchange for sessions.Along the way he falls for Dr.Squires' step-daughter Stephanie(playedby the extremely talented Olivia Thirlby).What makes this movie so great is it's focus on the characters. Nocharacter is perfect. Each has a set of his or her own flaws. Eachcharacter is written well and not just a simple stereotype. Each actorfeels like they were meant for the role they were given. Ben Kingsleyand Josh Peck create some of the best scenes in movie history. OliviaThirlby has demonstrated range from JUNO to SNOW ANGELS to this. Shetook what could have been a one-dimensional character into somethingmagnificent. She is a great actress who I hope to keep on seeing in thefuture.It also featured a good selection of songs from 1994 that help the flowof this movie.I have not cried at a movie in years. But I cried during this. It is abeautiful coming of age tale that quite a few people can relate to.Johnathan Levine, who directed this masterpiece, has a bright futureahead of him. He is talented and and makes this movie sincere. Thismovie is a well-written piece of cinematic heaven. I hope it can findit's audience when it is released to theaters.Also I hope they release an extended version or at least the deletedscenes with the DVD as the director told the audience that there wasabout 40 minutes of cut out from the finished product.

2012-05-02 14:28:11

Lies and Alibis

Funny movie, underrated. A lot of good stars inside with a pretty cool twist. I'd buy it.

2012-05-01 22:52:57

ONE OF THE TOP 5 MOVIES IN 2008

This review is from: The Wackness (DVD) I have been waiting my whole lifetime for a movie like this... Everyone who I've shown it to has absolutely loved it, and yet I don't know why critics kind of swept it under the rug when it created so much uproar at the 2008 Sundance Film Festivals.I think everyone should go into this movie not knowing what it's about. It's honestly not because I'm lazy and don't want to explain it to you, but I notice that in my opinion that when you heighten the expectations for someone who hasn't seen the movie, it makes the movie seem not as good as it really is.Watch the clips Amazon supplied and that's all you need to know... It's a movie about how adults shouldn't be embarrassed to take advice from the younger generation, because it's not about age IT'S ABOUT KNOWLEDGE. And guess what? Sometimes they can be right.It's a movie about not being afraid to live life; don't hide from it or bottle your problems. Don't look at the bad side of things, look at the good things. People say that's easier said than done, but the trick is to PRETEND!!! When something bad happens you need to embrace your fears and embrace the pain that comes with it. If you run away from life with drugs (and by now everyone should know that includes prescription drugs) and not face your problems, you eventually just start to experience all the downs in life.If what you choose is to embrace your pain, learn from it, and have the courage to not to be afraid to take chances & risks in your life-- WELL THAT'S WHAT LIFE IS ALL ABOUT. If it weren't for the pain in life, the joy wouldn't be so good. It's like the spoiled kid everyone went to school with, they got everything they wanted their entire lives and in the end nothing in the world can ever make them happy.If you were even SOMEWHAT interested in Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind, American Beauty, Donnie Darko, I guarantee you WILL love The Wackness. Even if you didn't like these movies.....WATCH THE WACKNESS!!!

DelBongo 2012-04-28 22:20:42

The Wackness

This is one of those shambolic American indie debuts that has its headstuck in the clouds. Its only currency is pointless, insight-freenostalgia and quirky behaviour. Plot devices and character traits thatqualify as fundamentally idiotic are too numerous to mention.Ben Kingsley's performance is reasonably enjoyable, but the leadprofoundly misunderstands the character that he's playing, and thedirector is too busy getting shots of Forrest Gump posters or peopleplaying on Game Boys to notice.It isn't wise or deft about anything, and it only comes to life when itdraws attention to itself and is at its most pointless. Its alsoirritating and a little bit stupid. The making-of on the DVD revealed a couple of things; thatwriter/director Jonathan Levine is an insufferable, airheadeddouchebag, and that everyone involved in the making of the film thoughtthat they were making a comedy, which was news to me. Wackness indeed.

2012-04-28 08:00:41

This movie is not wack

I am old enough to remember the nineties after all (telling my age) I was an adult in 1994. So the year selected for this film brings back memories. I will not go into details regarding this movie. I will say that it is worth watching. The performances were great. It was also refreshing to see Josh Peck form the teen show Drake and Josh take a serious turn. Bottom line Yo don't be wack rent or buy the wackness. Peace out.

baseballllls 2012-04-27 14:26:20

Greatest movie ever made.

This has GOT to be the greatest movie ever made. Best I have ever seenand I am a movie fanatic. It has all aspects. Comedy, sadness,happiness, awesomeness...well no horror.. but still IT IS by far thebest movie I have ever seen. Anyone who reads this definitely needs towatch it. The acting is VERY great. The plot is very great. The actorsare great and fit the characters very well. Everything about this movieis perfect, I don't have any negative things to say about it. Iactually almost cried at the end O_o and I usually don't do that.. Iloved this movie and I know you will too. This movie makes me want tobe a shrink. 99999999/10

meeza 2012-04-26 21:07:38

A Wacker of a film , good and bad!

"The Wackness" is not based on the internet porn obsession plaguingmany horny men and teenage boys throughout the world. OK, I am alreadystarting out to sound like a "wack job" in this review. "The Wackness"is the mildly-charming film about Luke Shapiro, a recent high schoolgrad who sells marijuana in a cover-up snack cart in New York City.Luke is portrayed as a lonely figure in a 90's hip hop culture whoseeks the mental counseling of a harebrained psychotherapist Dr.Jeffrey Squires, and the companionship of the unruffled Stephanie, whohappens to be Dr. Squires stepdaughter. There is plenty of wackiness inLuke's relationship with Dr. Squires, not being your prototypedoctor/patient situation here. Dr. Squires takes Luke to see his 80'srock icon son Billy perform in concert. OK, another wackjob here fromme! Kidding! Hey, but they say the wackness has plenty of "strokes"(only Billy Squire fans are chuckling here). OK, back to the wacky plotof "The Wackness". There are some "coming of age" revelations whichoccur to Luke during the narrative, but none that made me fullyempathize with his character. Not to say that I do not commendWriter-Director Jonathan Levine's laudable effort in spotlighting thecentral theme of "escape from solitude" embodied in the centralcharacter, but Levine did not provide Shapiro a charismatic edge forauthentic credibility. Luke's sporadic cockiness never made me root forhim to get out of his lonesome rut. Dr. Squires orthodox psychiatrictactics were also way too "over the top" which evidently shrinked himto a goofball character instead of an atypical, intriguing one. JoshPeck pecked and pecked portraying Luke, so his effort is appreciated;but my Josh, you showed numerous flaws in portraying such a complexcharacter. Sir Ben Kingsley, as great as he is, was not suited inportraying such a delirious character as Dr. Squires. Olivia Thirlbycontinues to demonstrate that she will be a "female thespian force tobe reckon with" with her steady work as in her commendable performancehere as the free-spirit Stephanie. To level with you Levine, I thinkthere were way too many "hip hop" eccentricities to your screenplaythat deviated the story from its central focus of Luke's melancholypsyche. But at least you did not insert a "Luke, I am your father"insert in any scene involving Dr. Squires dialogue to Luke. I will levythe bad with the good for Levine's effort here also because theromantic scenes between Josh and Stephanie were my favorite part of"The Wackness" and were well-written and directed by Levine. "TheWackness" does not deserve to be wacked off your screen, but not a bonafide cinematic hit to get all wacked about either. *** Average

2012-04-23 03:34:53

The Wackness

"... is one of the best movies of 2008. Ben Kingsley was spectacular. This is Oscar material. The Wackness shouldn't have been a box-office disaster."

prima-angkasa 2012-04-22 13:32:16

Excellent movie

****************SPOLERALERT********************************************First time I show this movie, I am falling in love to this movie. Youngteen, Luke Saphiro (play brilliantly by Josh Peck), smart, goodlooking, what wrong with him? Nothing except he is a dug dealer. Howcome at young age he become drug dealer. Even he is an active boy, heis shy, never has courage to tell his feeling to a girl. Never involvewith a girl before. Luke Saphiro goes to a psychotherapist, Dr. Squires. He pays DR Squireswith drug, because the doctor is also a drug addicted. Soon they becomefriend, and someday, Luke fall in love with Dr.Squires stepdaughter,Stephanie. after that there are a separate story, broken heart story. All in thegood plot. What I love about this movie, the way Luke express himself,He is not pretend that everything OK. he is not pretend that he is ahappy teen, He just do what he want to do.