Review of Hesher (2010) by Samy A — 01 Sep 2014

Weird. I'm not quite sure I understand this movie, and I'm not entirely sure I want to. A strange blend of black humor and seriously depressing drama. I just couldn't figure out where this movie was coming from, going, or ended up. That all said, it is an interesting and unique movie with some decent pluses.

Kind of like 'Requiem For A Dream' in that while I liked it, I never want to see it again. I can't believe that it's categorized as a comedy, because it might be the most depressing film I've ever seen. It just made me feel like shit throughout most of it.

The acting is just a strange. Levitt is fantastic at rendering his character, but his character is a real douche. Somehow though, I think he's supposed to come across as the hero of the film. I just wanted to punch him in the face. That's an odd kind of hero to have. Rainn Wilson plays the same empty-eyed, uncharismatic character he's ever played, and he plays it every well. Also, this is one of the few films I can recall in which Natalie Portman doesn't single handedly destroy. That isn't to say she's very good, but I could tolerate her here.

All in all, this is a film that seems constantly at odds with itself. Funny, then depressing. Slow paced, then out of control. Intimate and pensive, then screaming and explosive. Not surprisingly, my reaction to it is very much the same: I liked it, and I didn't. I can't deny its power and somewhat narcissistic insistence, but I can't say I'd really recommend it. A very emotionally confusing experience.