The Wackness
NYC. Summer 1994. The girls were fly. The music was dope. And Luke was just trying to deal.
A troubled teenage pot dealer named Luke Shapiro (Josh Peck) forms a friendship with Dr. Jeffrey Squires (Ben Kingsley), a psychiatrist and kindred lost soul. When the doctor proposes Luke trade him weed for therapy sessions, the two begin to explore both New York City and their own depression.
New York City in 1994 is a city pulsing with hip hop, a city whose new mayor, Rudy Giuliani, utilizes controversial methods to address the twin blights of homelessness and crime. Much like the city, Luke and Dr. Squires are at a crossroads: Luke considers himself semi-suicidal, bemoaning his high school social status and the fact that his family is on the verge of eviction; Dr. Squires and his rehab addicted wife (Famke Janssen) can barely tolerate each other. Thus, together, Luke and Squires determine to help each other find happiness.
When Luke identifies medication as his salvation, Dr. Squires chides him, "Don't go for the quick fix. This whole city wants a quick fix." Eventually, however, the two bond over a common goal: getting laid. This quest takes them from borough to borough, through encounters with several of Luke's "business associates": among them, a Phish-following dreadlocked pixie (Mary Kate Olsen), and a New Wave, keyboard-playing one-hit-wonder (Jane Adams).
Eventually, Luke's attention turns to Dr. Squires' stepdaughter, Stephanie (Olivia Thirlby), which in turn, causes the already fragile doctor to lose it completely.
Member Reviews
Coming of age story. - Nikki
An oddball buddy movie about a friendship between a lonely teenager and a therapist undergoing a mid-life crisis. The story itself isn't a complex one, but the characters are, and the journey they endeavor upon from the month of June to the dog days of August is one that is emotionally satisfying.A 'Cute" Movie (for guys to) - HotTubber
I really enjoyed this movie, left me with a "good
feeling" inside at the end. You knew everybody is going to be OK. Not a big cast but a very solid performance by Ben Kinsley, (as usual)and good performances by supporting actors. A hippy wacky juvenile psychiatrist giving his young marijuana dealer advice every time he comes in to sell him pot and he ends up dating his daughter. Some parts will give you a little chuckle. It’s the best chick flick that wasn't too sappy!! I highly
recommend it.Levine, Peck, and Kingsley lay down some compelling Wackness - CruelIn10tions
I have never felt a movie hit so close to home like The Wackness. This was a true tale of a teenager who fears that where he is in his life is the high point of all experiences. Through his summer, he is bombarded with hardships that could easily tear any 17 year old down. Instead, Shapiro takes his new experiences and lets them build him up as a man. I enjoyed watching this transformation.
This movie also made me miss the 90s. Things like the Forrest Gump advertisement, the old school music, the Nintendo and the tape cassettes really brought authenticity into the movie and gave it the feel it was going for. The movie was smart in the fact that the music was always apart of the environment, and not just a random track playing.
All performances were honest and terrific. With many poor films filling 2008, I hope one day The Wackness is rediscovered.
Member Reviews
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Coming of age story. - Nikki
An oddball buddy movie about a friendship between a lonely teenager and a therapist undergoing a mid-life crisis. The story itself isn't a complex one, but the characters are, and the journey they endeavor upon from the month of June to the dog days of August ...A 'Cute" Movie (for guys to) - HotTubber
I really enjoyed this movie, left me with a "good
feeling" inside at the end. You knew everybody is going to be OK. Not a big cast but a very solid performance by Ben Kinsley, (as usual)and good performances by supporting actors. A hippy wacky juvenile ...Levine, Peck, and Kingsley lay down some compelling Wackness - CruelIn10tions
I have never felt a movie hit so close to home like The Wackness. This was a true tale of a teenager who fears that where he is in his life is the high point of all experiences. Through his summer, he is bombarded with hardships that could easily tear any ...