Thumbsucker (2005)

Calificación de los usuarios:

6.8/10   

Director:

Mike Mills

Escritores:

Walter Kirn (novel)
Mike Mills (written by)

Fecha de Lanzamiento:

28 octubre 2005 (UK)

Género:

Comedia | Drama

Plot:

Justin throws himself and everyone around him into chaos when he attempts to break free from his addiction to his thumb.

Plot Keywords:

Debate | Drugs | Teacher | Teenager | Dentist

Premios:

4 wins & 3 nominations

Comentarios de los usuarios:

Well done is "Thumbsucker"

Reparto

Ted Beckman	...	Stoner Guy
Benjamin Bratt	...	Matt Schramm
Vincent D'Onofrio	...	Mike Cobb
Arvin V. Entena	...	Perry Lyman's Assistant
Tyler Gannon	...	Stoner Chick
Kelli Garner	...	Rebecca
Allen Go	...	Biology Teacher
Dakota Goldhor	...	Girl on Plane
Walter Kirn	...	Debate Judge
Kit Koenig	...	Principal
Sarah Lucht	...	English Teacher
Eric Normington	...	Hotel Desk Clerk
Nancy O'Dell	...	Herself
Lanette Prazeau	...	School Nurse
Lou Taylor Pucci	...	Justin Cobb (as Lou Pucci)

También conocida como:

Impulso adolescente (Argentina) [es]

MPAA:

Rated R for drug/alcohol use and sexuality involving teens, language and a disturbing image.

Duración:

96 min

País:

USA

Idioma:

Inglés

Color:

Color

Relación de Aspecto:

2.35 : 1

Sonido:

Dolby Digital

Clasificación:

Australia:M | Canada:14A (British Columbia/Ontario) | Ireland:16 | Canada:13+ (Québec) | Singapore:NC-16 | Brazil:16 | Argentina:16 | Finland:K-11 | Japan:PG-12 | Germany:12 | South Korea:15 | Norway:11 | USA:R | UK:15

Locaciones de Filmación:

Beaverton, Oregon, USA

Compañía:

Bob Yari Productions

Trivialidades:

The director saw over 100 actors for the role of Justin.

Errores:

Personal o Equipo Visible: A microphone can be seen when Justin is bringing his prize back home.

Citas:

Justin Cobb: What's your power animal?
Dr. Perry Lyman: That’s personal.

Conexiones de Película:

Referenced in "Filmography: Keanu Reeves" (2005)

Banda de Sonido:

Spirit of Reiki

Well done is "Thumbsucker"

First, I'd like to point out that "Thumbsucker" is an unusual title for any piece of work, whether it's this film, or the novel by Walter Kirn that it is based. First-time director Mike Mills guides a cast of well-knowns through a decent script that peers into one teenager's coming of age and his battle with an unusual addiction: he sucks his thumb.

Yes, Justin Cobb (Lou Pucci) sucks his thumb. He's 17, in high school, trying to get into New York University, and sucks his thumb. His father Mike (Vincent D'Onofrio) clearly has issues with it while his mother Audrey (Tilda Swinton, also the film's producer) is a little more lenient (though she has the hots for T.V. actor Matt Schramm, played by Benjamin Bratt), and it just gives his younger brother Joel (Chase Offerle) greater incentive to insult him. Both parents like to be called by their first names as to not remind themselves of being old. If only more parents thought that way.

"Thumbsucker" isn't really a teen angst picture in the sense of something along the lines of "The Breakfast Club" (1985). No, it never really dives that deep, but it does contain some of those elements. The picture never looks beyond Justin's problematic habit that he just can't seem to shake as he rapidly approaches adulthood.

He sees his new-age hippie orthodontist Perry (Keanu Reeves), who suggests that Justin undergo hypnotherapy, and it works. A new leaf is turned over the for the young man as he joins the debate team and finds widespread success there, gets on the good side of his laid-back teacher Mr. Geary (Vince Vaughn) who also has some hair issues, and finds a little teen love with fellow classmate Rebecca (Kelli Garner).

But it's short-lived when Justin is also diagnosed with ADD (Attention Deficit Disorder) and is prescribed Ritalin(?) but goes cold turkey when he realizes he's addicted to it. After letting those go, Rebecca introduces him to the world of marijuana and borderline-kinky sex acts. But all of this leaves us and him wondering: Was there anything really wrong with him, since after all, thumb-sucking is unusual but in a world where there are many definitions of "normal," what is "normal?"

"Thumbsucker" is a pleasant and engaging comedy that guides us through the processes of definition of a perfect society. In essence really, Justin is the only down-to-earth character in the film, aside from his habit. I'm sure there are those of us with our own little pet-peeves that we don't let the world know about. I think that for Justin, who is played rather delicately and brightly by Lou Pucci, his habit brings him a sense of escape from his problems, much like an addiction.

But he falls right back into it when he has nothing left and all other options are exhausted. The movie's message is, I think, don't be afraid to be yourself, no matter how unusual your habits are. Don't get blinded by society's definition of normal and bizarre, and most importantly, just be yourself.

8/10