Thumbsucker (DVD)

Yet another one of the Sony Classics indie films I missed from last year (I can't wait for my Junebug, The Squid and the Whale and Capote screeners). I regret not seeing these movies, unfortunately my schedule does not always allow me to see the best films of the year thanks to unfortunate timing, but that is what DVD is for right?

Thumbsucker is not the greatest movie I have ever seen. It isn't even in my top 100, but it is a good movie. This movie has a good balance of subtle comedy and real world drama. It has its eccentricities and takes the word "real" for granted at times, but for the most part it is an interesting look at growing up in a way another 2005 movie (Chumscrubber) certainly failed.

The film centers on Justin Cobb (Lou Pucci) a young man who is still sucking his thumb. Now, in his review of the theatrical release Laremy compared Pucci to Johnny Depp, I feel this is a gross exaggeration. Pucci is certainly good in the role, he carries the movie, we are going to see a lot more of him, but he is no Johnny Depp. Depp has far more ability as an actor, he has a sense of uniqueness (is that a word?). Pucci has the chance at being a major star, but not a Depp. In Thumbsucker he doesn't go for unique, even though his character has his problems. Justin is looking for a way to be normal, he doesn't want to suck his thumb, he just wants a normal life.... but what is "normal"?

This leads him to test out hypnosis with his orthodontist (Keanu Reeves), prescription drugs for ADHD and what may be everyone's favorite solution - sex. I should also mention that Justin isn't an idiot. Far from it as a matter of fact, and he soon is able to make his own diagnosis, one that gives him a clear look at what being "normal" really is.

Out of everything that Thumbsucker is, I would say it can best be described as a movie with wits. This movie is a battle of words. Whether confronting inner demons or the outside world, everything is done with words and this movie is packed with 'em. Based on the book by Walter Kim, I can only guess at how much writer/director Mike Mills added to the screenplay, but this one has some great dialogue. Several scenes are made memorable just by the way the dialogue ends them. On top of that, after watching the special features, you will also learn that Vince Vaughn added his own special contribution to the film as Justin's debate teacher. Vaughn isn't in a lot of the film, but where he pops up he adds to the feature tremendously proving he has a certain versatility and is able to bring real world comedy to a much more dramatic film rather than his normal fare.

As for the special features on Thumbsucker they are primarily aimed at the bored. They are extremely talky and by the time you get done with the featurettes if you have time to check out director Mike Mills commentary I applaud you, you certainly have more time to waste than I do.

Thumbsucker is not a movie to own, it is a movie to rent for film buffs. Many of the performances given in this ensemble piece are fantastic but they aren't buy worthy.