The Wackness Details

An evocative tale of adolescence

Beneath the surface of good looks (among them the beguiling Olivia Thirlby and still-fabulous Famke Janssen) and comedic appeal, this movie reveals a sensitively filmed, bittersweet tale of adolescence and a nostalgic look at 1990s New York. The unlikely relationship between protagonist Luke Shapiro and his shrink, Dr Squires, played to perfection by Ben Kingsley, is central to the film, which also tells the story of sexual exploration and the conflicts of adulthood. The characters are what make this film, as well as the sometimes hilarious moments, particularly between Luke and Dr Squires, as each attempt to come to terms with their inner agonies and the coming of age.

The 1990s hiphop soundtrack and points of reference by characters also evoke a recent popular culture, which serve as reminders of how short-lived youth is to those of us who still think the 1990s was not that long ago.

[Highly rated reviewer]

The Wackness

The lackness, more like. I lost the will to live within 10 minutes and couldn't even be bothered fast forwarding after 20. I can't remember when something as bad as this film happened to me.