Putting the "Thumb" in Dysfunctional

So, as you know, I've been a little bummed out this summer. And there's nothing to cure a case of the downers like watching someone else suffer and, you know, get well or just suffer less elegantly than you (whatever*). To this end, I decided to watch Thumbsucker this weekend. Released in 2005, Thumbsucker enjoyed a wide-ish theater presence (which is to say we got it in G'ville), but some people may have been turned off by its "arty" feel. The characters have a spongy, organic presence, and most of them are clearly hurting whether or not they acknowledge their pain. This pain is diffused throughout the movie via a slowed-down storytelling pace (think The Virgin Suicides) and groovy downbeat original music courtesy of Tim DeLaughter (Polyphonic Spree) and Elliot Smith.

Indeed, the movie is full of interesting promise. Lead character, Justin (Lou Pucci), sucks his thumb and dreams. As he attempts to break this habit, he turns to hypnosis, Ritalin, and marajuana. His nurse mother (Tilda Swinton) is obsessed with a movie star, and his store-manager father (Vincent D'Onofrio) is a failed football player. Plus, he interacts with his loser debate coach/therapist (?) (Vince Vaughn), tree-hugger classmate Rebecca, and motivational orthodontist (Keanu Reeves). While the plot itself is adequate—Justin is trying to fight depression—something more substantial seems lacking, which is criminal, given the combined talents of the cast. The movie feels as if someone has created a massive and elaborate set only to play out one scene on it. One might not be surprised, then, that the movie is adapted from a book. Even so, I think the material is either poorly adapted or the book just sucks. Case in point: Justin's depression is embodied principally in his having long hair and looking kind of greasy which makes the viewer think—hey, this kid doesn't need drugs, he just needs a haircut and some astringent. Note to director: give Lou some direction!

Speaking of "sucks," I find it incumbent upon my review to discuss who really sucks in Thumbsucker. You know who you are Keanu Reeves. I...I...I don't know who to blame more for your awful, awful portrayal of an orthodontist—you or the casting director. I know that this orthodontist is special because he hypnotises people or gives motivational advice, but, when you say something like "the real answer is that there is no answer" it activates my gag reflex. Really honey, what made you think you could convincingly play a member of the medical profession? I would take a hot glue gun, piano wire, and pliers to my own overbite before I would ever let your big dumb fingers in my mouth. The gentle, insistent sucking in the background of this movie? You.

Surprisingly, the guy who sucked least in this movie was...ta-da! Vince Vaughn. Who knew that an actor who is so good at playing cocky, self-assured guys could play a loser so effectively? I admit, I could have just been surprised by this offbeat casting, but Vaughn's debate coach (is he also a therapist?) is captivating. He thoroughly embarrasses Justin during a debate class and holds a co-ed debate team meeting in the men's bathroom. He buys beer for the kids 'cause, hey, he's just trying to fit in. But when Justin leaves debate and Ritalin behind, Vaughn's manipulative, wheedly character is emotionally hurt, and I hurt a little bit for him (sigh!).

Though it's less angsty and artistically beautiful than Donnie Darko and less narratively coherent and satisfying as Saved!, Thumbsucker is worth a watch, if only to put your own pain, quirks, and/or medicants in context.

* Yes, you're supposed to laugh at this.