Review of The Chumscrubber (2005) by Tyler M — 26 Apr 2008

I'm not dead, but who could call this a life?

Breathtaking and mind-blowing without being new-agey and pretentious... Perfect.

The Story: The suicide of teenage drug dealer in a small suburban community triggers a strange chain of events. It's a great ensemble cast set up, in the same vein as American Beauty only no where near as artsy. Told with a great warm sense of style and a wickedly dark sense of humor. This film is centered on the callous best friend of the deceased as he's dragged through a botched kidnapping scheme, a drug smuggling scheme, while dealing with a mother that that doesn't have enough time, a father who only wants to analyze him, and a brother with a slightly hidden agenda. While that sounds like a full load the real heart of the story lies with the towns lack of concern for each other and the fact that all the adults are living their own lives while beneath the surface the children aren't okay. There's so much to this film that it's almost overwhelming to even attempt to explain.

The Cast: Jamie Bell, Allison Janney, William Fichtner, Rory Culkin, Glenn Close, Camilla Belle, Justin Chatwin, Lou Taylor Pucci, Thomas Curtis, Rita Wilson, Ralph Fiennes, Josh Janowicz... Ready? Josh Janowicz is Troy, the guy that sets it all in motion. There's actually a surprising amount to know about this character even though he's not really in the film. A local drug dealer found hanging in his bedroom by his best friend. Probably the most important character, but you won't really know too much about him until the last 5 minutes of the film. He doesn't really have a big acting role and only shows up on screen a few times. Jamie Bell is Dean Stiffle, Troys best friend and seemingly unaffected by his best friends death. He gives a great performance here as the guy who just wants to be left alone, but at the same time just wants someone to care about him. If you don't feel for this character than you must be made of steel because. One of the most believable performances I've ever seen in a film. My biggest question is, where was this guy during History of Violence? I mean really Jamie Bell would have played the part of Jack Stall so much better than Ashton Holmes. William Fichtner is Bill Stiffle, Deans father, author, and famed psychiatrist. Self involved and only interested in his career, he believes the answers to all his sons problems can be solved with a healthy dose of pills. He gives a great performance here, not the most notable character in the film but still a great performance none-the-less. Allison Janney is Allie Stiffle, Deans mother and Veggie Force salesperson. Like her husband, she's more interested in her career and selling vitamins than anything else. About halfway through the film though, you'll see that her character is one of the more full and deeper characters in the film. She gives an outstanding performance but you probably won't like her more than any other character. Rory Culkin is Charlie Stiffle, Deans brother, more interested in his videogames he could care less about his brother. He's a fairly empty character his actions are all open to interpretation weather he just thinks something is a great joke or a cry for attention. He's one of the films more flat characters. He gives a decent performance but he's only on screen for a fraction of the film anyway. Glenn Close is Carrie Johnson, Troys mother, trying to cope with her sons death. One of the films more complex characters. Giving a strong, heartbreaking performance you'll feel a much stronger connection to her than most other characters in the film. Justin Chatwin is Billy, the leader of the misfit high schoolers and the brains behind the flawed kidnapping plan. Only interested in the drugs that Troy had left before he died. While he's not quite as deep as some others in the film he still manages to give a great, if not unsettling performance. He makes for a good villain. Camilla Belle is Crystal, one of Charlies kidnappers and kind of a mystery, you won't know what to think of her throughout most of the film. Caught up with the wrong crowd you can't help but wonder who she would be if she'd made a few different choices. You might love her, you might hate her. One of the deeper characters and one of the best performances in the film. Lou Taylor Pucci is Lee, the third and final of the kidnappers. His character feels a little broken and almost secondary to the film. He doesn't really add to much to the whole experience, but it would be hard to imagine the film without him. Not a great performance but still not bad. Thomas Curtis is Charlie Bratley, the kidnapping victim, the kid with the unfortunate name of Charlie. Mistaken for Deans brother he's being held for ransom by some high school kids all for the sake of scoring some drugs. He gives a good performance here, one of the better younger actors out there. Rita Wilson is Terri Bratley, Charlies mother, so wrapped up in her own life she doesn't even realize that her son has been kidnapped. She has one of the bigger roles in the film as she's about to marry the mayor. She gives a great performance all around as a character that you'll love to hate. Ralph Fiennes is Mayor Michael Ebbs, the soft spoken mayor. Never getting a chance to voice his opinion to his soon to be wife. One of the goofier characters in the film, you constantly get the feeling that something is about to go wrong with him. A fairly deep character, but he's kind of hard to take seriously. He gives a great performance but he's not the most accessible character here.

One to Five Scale: 5.

Though you might wish the film would leave a little to the imagination by not telling you what some things mean, or by not explaining what happens to everyone at the end, you'll still want to watch this one over and over. A smooth pace, sharp characters, and outstanding writing with performances to match make this one stand out as something all together refreshing. Do whatever it takes to see this film! My highest recommendations. 'Nuff said.

Tyler.