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by Jonathan W. Hickman
It starts with a moist thumb and a possible second round of orthodontic work. A thumb in the mouth is warm comforting place for Justin who at 17 or 18 has yet to shake the habit of thumb-sucking. But is Justin's problem just his thumb?
Mike Mills' completely absorbing and unique film "Thumbsucker" is one of the best films I saw at Sundance this year. Last year at the festival the buzz revolved around "Garden State" as a potential breakout hit. While "Garden State" was clearly entertaining and, at times, insightful, "Thumbsucker" is a much more satisfying film.
Justin (Lou Taylor Pucci) is a high school senior with average grades. He is drifting toward apathetic but subtly wanting. Besides his always inviting fleshy digit, the object of much of his affection is fellow student Rebecca (Kelli Garner). Rebecca is introduced to us wearing a tight-fitting mini t-shirt inscribed with the phrase "Club Sandwiches Not seals." Rebecca is an impassioned member of the high school debate club but is mainly interested in environmental awareness. She has perfectly moist lips and soft cherub-like features (reminding one of a young Mary Louise Parker). But when Justin is on the verge of connecting with her, she rudely demands more than he can give-the truth about his thumb.
When I read about "Thumbsucker" I couldn't imagine the story working. But the thumb is just the beginning of this tenderly layered tale of an American family with regrets. What is refreshing is that it isn't some perverse parody; rather, you might know a family like Justin's. Mother, Audrey (Tilda Swinton), father, Mike (Vincent D'Onofrio), and brother Joel (Chase Offerle) all have functional lives and positive relationships. But Justin doesn't see things as completely peachy and his plans for moving on might only include room in his life for his thumb alone.
The performances are special from top to bottom. It helps that the screenplay properly develops the characters in meaningful ways. I think that this is because the struggles encountered by the folks in this film aren't overblown and given grandiose treatment. Funny thing is that the only person who takes things too seriously is played by Keanu Reeves, the biggest movie star in the film. And Reeves is good, really good, playing an eclectic orthodontist who seems to have a mystical insight into Justin's dark thumb-sized secret. But the screenplay smartly allows Reeves' Dr. Perry Lyman to expand from a one-scene joke to become Justin's almost magical muse with some kind of disturbing sadness underneath. Every scene featuring Reeves and Justin is perfect.
It is good to see Vincent D'Onofrio on the big screen again. Given his popular television commitments, he hasn't been in a feature film in a couple years. As Justin's wounded self-absorbed father, D'Onofrio demonstrates that he ought to make more features.
"Thumbsucker" is very well paced spanning what seems like a few months (or a whole year) in Justin's life. The action is captured in lush colors and the use of camera effects that slow down things around Justin during periods of epiphany moved me. I found myself reflecting back on my own high school experience. And the events of Justin's life are familiar. But regardless rather you personally relate to any of the characters in the film, most viewers will find the story absorbing making "Thumbsucker" a sure-fire breakout Sundance hit.
For information about Sundance visit the festival website: http://www.sundanceonlinefilmfestival.org/
Jonathan W. Hickman
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