Review of Thumbsucker (2005) by Johnny T — 10 Jan 2012

Thumbsucker aims high but swerves too frequently between the engaging and the credibility-defying to be satisfying. The movie and its theme of self-acceptance has an honesty, undercut by occasional preciousness, that makes it worth seeing. The actors can't escape the confines of the warmed-over, coming-of-age-in-suburbia script by Mills, from a novel by Walter Kirn. The film's underlying notion, that imperfection is the essence of humanity and the pursuit of bland flawlessness a kind of soul-killing drug, is far more compelling than its story of clichéd teen angst. The parents are the casualties of Mills' misplaced sincerity, which makes Thumbsucker the quintessential misadapted head-scratcher. So no one would argue that Thumbsucker sucks. But the thing does seem just so indie-movie familiar. Often amusing but lacks the necessary bite.

VERDICT: "In The Zone" - [Mixed Reaction] These kinds of movies are usually movies that had some good things, but some bad things kept it from being amazing. This rating says buy an ex-rental or a cheap price of the DVD to own. If you consider cinema, ask for people's opinion on the film. (Films that are rated 2.5 or 3 stars).