THE MOVIE ANARCHIST

Thumbsucker is a quirky indie film about a high school kid (Lou Taylor Pucci) who still sucks his thumb at age 17.  Clearly this is a problem that needs a remedy, but the film is just as much about the fact that everyone else has some type of disorder that needs fixing.  It’s comical because his mother, father, orthodontist, and even his girl friend, are more dysfunctional than he is; but of course, he’s the only one who receives treatment.  Just as “the squeaky wheel gets the grease,” the more obvious problem gets the treatment.

Not surprisingly, the treatments is worse than the “illness.”  A steady dose of Ritalin does the trick, at least for a while.

The film is slow-paced, and not “laugh out loud” funny, but the comedy is more in the quirkiness of the characters.  It’s worth seeing not only because Pucci is commendable in the lead role, but he gets a lot of help from his terrific supporting cast, including Tilda Swinton, Vincent D’Onofrio, Vince Vaughn, Keanu Reeves, and Benjamin Bratt.

I recommend it.

6/9