Review of Hesher (2010) by Maximus F — 29 Oct 2011

I'm sure everyone knows of a person in his or her lives that is pretty much the exact opposite of you. For example, if you are a perfect angel, you have a friend that is one rebellious badass. That's pretty much what goes down in the new movie: Hesher.

Hesher is about a boy (I still have no idea how old this kid really is) named TJ played by, first time actor, Devin Brochu. After the loss of his mother, him and his father (Rainn Wilson) are living at home with TJ's grandma played by, Piper Laurie. Both TJ and his father go down a very dark road that involve yelling, screaming, skipping school (to go sit in the car that his mother was killed in), and throwing rocks at windows. Along the way TJ meets a punk-rock, hyped up, smoker; Hesher (Joseph Gordon-Levitt) as well as TJ's new crush: a store cashier (Natalie Portman...but seriously who doesn't have a crush on Natalie Portman).

The first thing I'll start by saying is that for the most part I enjoy watching indie flicks because unlike the mainstream Hollywood movies, indie filmmakers they focus more on the characters because they don't have enough money to care of 3-d Spectacles and over the top special effects. Along with indie filmmakers, Natalie Portman has seemed to make a name for herself playing in independent movies (Garden State and New York, I Love You). I really admire that about Natalie in that she does movies that she seems to enjoy rather than getting noticed.

As characters go, the most mainstream names we see are actually supporting characters. The main character spot actually goes to newcomer Devin Brochu. Although, he carries the weight very nicely, it's the supporting characters that give the film life...or death. This is both a blessing and a curse. Whenever Gordon-Levitt on screen he brings the film to new levels with his wittyness, coolness, and badassness. He delivers a lovely performance along with the others. However, when they aren't on screen the film begins to slow down and get a tired tone to it. That's not saying anything against Brochu, he does a very nice job, he just doesn't have the charisma to carry them film by himself.

Now what the film does very well is how each characters reacts to a certain situation. This film throws in thousands of scenes that we've seen countless times in other films (i.e. Bully beating up someone, dealing with grief, and fighting between parents and children). Now you'd think you know what they're going to do, but especially with Levitt you are thrown off by his reactions and you may also to begin to laugh, which is good because this is a comedy.

However, one thing the film doesn't do well is plot direction. You're really waiting for the film to go somewhere, but to be honest it sort of sits there like Rainn Wilson's character on a couch. It really just sticks to one tone and stays there, but we needed some movement and for the film to really propel itself in a direction positive, or negative, but sadly it stays in the middle. To be honest, I actually think this would be better as a television show. As the show of Always Sunny In Philadelphia, you can some shows that really go nowhere, but are still a pleasure to watch, however movies can't follow that same structure, which is why I think Hesher would be a perfect television show...just minus the 400 swear words that won't make the cut on FOX or ABC.

Overall, this movie isn't for everyone. If you're easily offended and put off by weird characters or films, you might as well sit this one out, however, for those who aren't Hesher is really a cut above the rest. With some flaws, Hesher overcomes them with its slick, dark sense of comedy, and a bunch of clichés that are thrown out the window. If none of that encourages you to go see this movie, then just look at Joseph Gordon-Levitt's new look; it's pretty wicked.