Review of Hesher (2010) by Alec B — 13 Sep 2011

I think its a prime example of some of the major problems in American independent film making today. The filmmakers create a situation that demands vague and undeveloped characters in order to make the story seem far more interesting than it actually is.

The fact that the characters are undefined makes everything seem raw and spontaneous, but in reality its just sloppy storytelling. I like Joseph Gordon-Levitt a lot but his character is insufferable, because he makes no sense.

Director Spencer Susser can't decide what the rules of his world are or what purpose Hesher serves in it. He wants both to be realistic and absurd at the same time and it doesn't work. Also the Natalie Portman character serves no purpose that I can see or that I even cared about.