Best movie I've seen in years!
Added 1/10/2010
I just saw this on Sundance and I can't believe it didn't win more awards!
It's the best movie I've seen in years and one of the rare few that I'd like to see again and to buy the dvd! The story is engaging, the acting top notch, the issues universal and thought provoking...It's also uplifting and a great movie for anyone who may feel like a "square peg" or just different and lacks confidence due to being "different". Has an amazing stellar cast as well with Tilda Swinton, Keanu Reeves, Vince D'Onofrio, his buddy Vince Vaughn and Benjamin Bratt and of course the leads Lou Taylor Pucci and his lady love interest. This is not a teen movie unless you think of Edward Sccisor hands as a teen movie! (This movie is pignant but still upbeat and funny) Made me think about Kurt Cobain who also was put on Ritalin as a kid...
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a coming of age story with comedy and drama
Added 12/7/2009
Thumbsucker is a sweet, tender and often humorous look at an awkward teenager's coming of age. The casting was superb; and the acting so well done that I found it a delight to watch this quirky comedy. The script was great, too; and both the cinematography and the choreography shine. The plot moves along at a very good pace and I never got bored; there's also plenty of character development and that's great.
When the action starts, we meet young Justin Cobb (Lou Taylor Pucci), a seventeen year old high school student with mediocre grades and a lack of interest in doing much schoolwork. Justin has his eyes on a young girl who is heavily into the environmental movement in their debate club; but he's shy and understandably clumsy about bringing up the topic of intimacy with her.
However, Justin has something else on his plate: curiously enough, at the age of seventeen he still sucks his thumb--not in public; but even the private habit angers his father Mike (Vincent D'Onofrio) and puzzles his well meaning mother Audrey (Tilda Swinton). When Justin's nutty dentist (Keanu Reeves) suggests hypnosis to rid Justin of his thumb sucking problem; it works--but then poor Justin has to find a way to get through life with yet another crutch. And wow, how this new crutch becomes an issue!
I came away from this movie wanting to yell "bravo" while standing up in my theater seat! The story is told with such tenderness that it truly touched me; and it goes to great lengths to show just how hard it can be to be an adolescent. Some people will say, of course, that Justin's behavior isn't always too endearing; and they certainly have a point. However, teenagers are at a tough age; many of us behaved like Justin behaves at one time or another when we were teenagers. If I was disappointed with the lack of development of anyone's character, it might be Justin's father Mike who always feels sorry for himself about a knew injury that kept him from playing pro football many years prior--if he were to make it to that level, of course. Look also for an outstanding performance by Tilda Swinton as Justin's mother Audrey; and Keanu Reeves provides some comic relief as the flaky dentist who wants to help Justin grow spiritually. In addition, Kelli Garner plays Rebecca wonderfully and Vince Vaughn plays Mr. Geary, the debate club teacher.
The DVD comes with a few extras. There is a "behind the scenes" featurette and there is an optional audio commentary with writer/director Mike Mills. There is also a conversation with director Mike Mills and novelist Walter Kirn.
Thumbsucker is a terrific, quirky comedy that still manages to tackle a number of issues at once and this impresses me. I recommend this for people who like coming of age stories; and of course fans of the actors in this film will want this for their collections.
1 out of 1 people found this helpful.
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Next teen movie
Added 10/20/2009
A next movie of a teen entering adult world with exploring sexuality and new stuff aroung is rather comedy than a drama of "in-between" speculations.
Funny and easy watching stuff.
0 out of 0 people found this helpful.
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Middling...
Added 7/12/2009
I remember the book being really good, but this movie about a teen who's still sucking his thumb definitely wasn't. Sure, there are tender scenes - Keanu Reeves is surprisingly good, and so are lookalikes Vince Vaughn and Vincent D'Onofrio - but Tilda Swinton is surprisingly boring, the main guy is so totally unforgettable that we still never understand from him why his parents' marriage is troubled, why he sucks his thumb, why he takes Prozac, and why his 10-year-old brother has more characer than he does...
0 out of 0 people found this helpful.
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Excellent Condition!
Added 4/20/2009
I was very satisfied with my purchase. The DVD is in great condition and it plays perfectly =)!
0 out of 0 people found this helpful.
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Best movie I've seen in years!
Added 1/10/2010
I just saw this on Sundance and I can't believe it didn't win more awards!
It's the best movie I've seen in years and one of the rare few that I'd like to see again and to buy the dvd! The story is engaging, the acting top notch, the issues universal and thought provoking...It's also uplifting and a great movie for anyone who may feel like a "square peg" or just different and lacks confidence due to being "different". Has an amazing stellar cast as well with Tilda Swinton, Keanu Reeves, Vince D'Onofrio, his buddy Vince Vaughn and Benjamin Bratt and of course the leads Lou Taylor Pucci and his lady love interest. This is not a teen movie unless you think of Edward Sccisor hands as a teen movie! (This movie is pignant but still upbeat and funny) Made me think about Kurt Cobain who also was put on Ritalin as a kid...
0 out of 0 people found this helpful.
|
a coming of age story with comedy and drama
Added 12/7/2009
Thumbsucker is a sweet, tender and often humorous look at an awkward teenager's coming of age. The casting was superb; and the acting so well done that I found it a delight to watch this quirky comedy. The script was great, too; and both the cinematography and the choreography shine. The plot moves along at a very good pace and I never got bored; there's also plenty of character development and that's great.
When the action starts, we meet young Justin Cobb (Lou Taylor Pucci), a seventeen year old high school student with mediocre grades and a lack of interest in doing much schoolwork. Justin has his eyes on a young girl who is heavily into the environmental movement in their debate club; but he's shy and understandably clumsy about bringing up the topic of intimacy with her.
However, Justin has something else on his plate: curiously enough, at the age of seventeen he still sucks his thumb--not in public; but even the private habit angers his father Mike (Vincent D'Onofrio) and puzzles his well meaning mother Audrey (Tilda Swinton). When Justin's nutty dentist (Keanu Reeves) suggests hypnosis to rid Justin of his thumb sucking problem; it works--but then poor Justin has to find a way to get through life with yet another crutch. And wow, how this new crutch becomes an issue!
I came away from this movie wanting to yell "bravo" while standing up in my theater seat! The story is told with such tenderness that it truly touched me; and it goes to great lengths to show just how hard it can be to be an adolescent. Some people will say, of course, that Justin's behavior isn't always too endearing; and they certainly have a point. However, teenagers are at a tough age; many of us behaved like Justin behaves at one time or another when we were teenagers. If I was disappointed with the lack of development of anyone's character, it might be Justin's father Mike who always feels sorry for himself about a knew injury that kept him from playing pro football many years prior--if he were to make it to that level, of course. Look also for an outstanding performance by Tilda Swinton as Justin's mother Audrey; and Keanu Reeves provides some comic relief as the flaky dentist who wants to help Justin grow spiritually. In addition, Kelli Garner plays Rebecca wonderfully and Vince Vaughn plays Mr. Geary, the debate club teacher.
The DVD comes with a few extras. There is a "behind the scenes" featurette and there is an optional audio commentary with writer/director Mike Mills. There is also a conversation with director Mike Mills and novelist Walter Kirn.
Thumbsucker is a terrific, quirky comedy that still manages to tackle a number of issues at once and this impresses me. I recommend this for people who like coming of age stories; and of course fans of the actors in this film will want this for their collections.
1 out of 1 people found this helpful.
|
Next teen movie
Added 10/20/2009
A next movie of a teen entering adult world with exploring sexuality and new stuff aroung is rather comedy than a drama of "in-between" speculations.
Funny and easy watching stuff.
0 out of 0 people found this helpful.
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