Review of The Wackness (2008) by Katie P — 08 Jul 2009

Perhaps some people are reading to deeply into this movie? Realistic depictions of screwed up relationships don't need to be complex or make some sort of statement. If this movie is anything it is a reflection on a time more or less everyone will share regardless of era, and this is why this movie is awesome. On the teenage end of the spectrum (Peck/Thirlby) almost everyone has fallen madly in love for the first time, even though in retrospect it was mostly superficial and even laughable (which is exactly how that sort of relationship is depicted). On the adult side (Kingsley/Balsam) I'm sure a lot of the middle/adult aged audience would sympathize with the flatlining relationship presented here. The themes are actually pretty universal and skillfully put together in a cohesive movie set in NY in 1994.

The music and setting places this movie squarely in the 90s (was significantly younger than the protagonist of this film at the time), but the feeling of nostalgia isn't lost on me.

This is the sort of nostalgia movie that'll probably come out a couple of times every decade set in the one preceding it, and it will be just as entertaining each time if its this well made.

I'm sure a few of the fanservice/references (mixtapes anyone? Biggie!) will induce some groans, but it did make me grin like an idiot every time.

Definitely a favorite.