The Wackness is a very underrated coming-of-age film with a bittersweet, realistic ending. Josh Peck is awesome in the lead role as a depressed, lonely weed dealer experiencing first love and the ensuing heartbreak, family financial struggle, and life transitions (why wasn't he in more leading roles is beyond me). From this role alone, he has clear dramatic range and shows he isn't only a comedic sitcom actor. Sadly, Hollywood likes to pigeonhole most actors even in their prime.
Ben Kingsley's puts in a standard performance as the unorthodox psychiatrist trapped in a dead marriage. He is a bit wooden at times, but he manages to overcome this by having genuine friend chemistry with Peck.
The theme of accepting oneself and problems, not running away from your pain and demons, but owning it and not allowing yourself to have shame, even guilt about your issues, is empowering. More coming-of-age films should include this thematic message.
I love the '90s music for the film's soundtrack. The story is set in 1994 New York City, however the costumes and hairstyling don't give off an authentic '90s vibe. All I got was that essence from the music itself, but the costumes and hairstyling of the character stuck out like a sore thumb, giving off mid-to-late 2000s quality.
Recommended coming-of-age film, pretty much a hidden gem in the indie film genre.
Ben Kingsley's puts in a standard performance as the unorthodox psychiatrist trapped in a dead marriage. He is a bit wooden at times, but he manages to overcome this by having genuine friend chemistry with Peck.
The theme of accepting oneself and problems, not running away from your pain and demons, but owning it and not allowing yourself to have shame, even guilt about your issues, is empowering. More coming-of-age films should include this thematic message.
I love the '90s music for the film's soundtrack. The story is set in 1994 New York City, however the costumes and hairstyling don't give off an authentic '90s vibe. All I got was that essence from the music itself, but the costumes and hairstyling of the character stuck out like a sore thumb, giving off mid-to-late 2000s quality.
Recommended coming-of-age film, pretty much a hidden gem in the indie film genre.