Review of Thumbsucker (2005) by Jeremy P — 22 Nov 2007

Great film, very subtle, in an unsubtle sort of way. Chronicles the story of a thumb-sucking adolescent who seems content in simply coasting through his senior year of high school. However, girls, debate team, college applications, ADD, & his childish parents convolute his world, rendering him impotent to success. In an effort to stimulate his mind, he is prescribed methylphenidate (trade name Ritalin) & is met with a newfound confidence & ability to concentrate. Interestingly, the Ritalin (only 3 molecules different from speed) inconceivably serves as a gateway drug to cannabis & alcohol abuse. As the thumb-sucking adolescent's comfortable coasting reaches a pace he can't seem to keep up with, he lies on his college purpose statements, outshines his jealous father, & leads his debate team to one Ritalin-addled victory to another. In a clever sort of tongue-in-cheek manner, the film satirizes the tragedy that is insecure, immature, & emotionally unbalanced parents who can't seem to get a handle on their own lives, let alone raise children.

Excellent performances by both Reeves & Vaughn. Witty script & unique cinematography. Benjamin Bratt's on-screen presence is brief & yet stellar, with his profound & pithy "Man, that's a lot of blood" line. But Kelli Garner steals the show as the sultry pothead heart-breaker who decimates & demoralizes the film's thumb-sucking protagonist. Also noteworthy was Garner's wardrobe & "club sandwiches, not seals" t-shirt. This is not your conventional teen comedy. This film has heart & realism.