The Wackness

Title The Wackness
Writer/Director Jonathan Levine
Producer Keith Calder, Felipe Marino, Joe Neurauter
Starring Ben Kingsley, Josh Peck, Famke Jamssen, Olivia Thirlby, Mary-Kate Olsen, Method Man
ISBN 1435928989
Distributor Sony Pictures Classic
Copyright Date 2009 (DVD)
Interest Age 14+
Rating R
Genre Contemporary Life, Issues
Plot Summary
The Wackness is a film about Luke Shapiro, an 18 year-old pot dealer living in New York in 1994. It's the summer before college and Luck is dealing with a lot of stuff. His parents fight constantly over money, he's still a virgin and he's starting to wonder what life is all about. One of his customers is Dr. Jeffrey Squires, a psychiatrist and the father of Stephanie, the girl he has a crush on. He charges Jeffrey therapy for his pot and Luke begins to confide in him about all of his problems. Just as the two begin to form a friendship, things between Luke and Stephanie start to heat up. As Luke tries to figure out what he really wants out of life, Jeffrey confronts the problems in his marriage head-on and both of their lives start to get really complicated. A coming-of-age story about love and responsibility, frienship and loss.
Critical Evaluation
The Wackness was an extremely enjoyable film to watch. The acting, particularly that of Ben Kingsley and Josh Peck, is believable and the development of their relationship in the film is poignant, especially so because of the unlikeliness of it. This is one part coming-of-age film, one part midlife-crisis film, one part stoner movie and one part buddy movie. Put it all together with a really great soundtrack of music that was underground in the early 90's and currently being revived and rediscovered today, and it is a film that any teenager would like. I would recommend this film to any teenager, particularly those that are struggling with not being the most popular.
Reader’s Annotation
How are you supposed to see the dopeness in life when all you can concentrate on is the wackness?
Curriculum Ties None
DVDtalking Ideas
1. Do a character sketch of Luke and Dr. Squires, highlighting their differences and ending with a hook about how they would make unlikely friends.
Challenge Issues
Issue: sexually explicit, underage drug/alcohol use, inappropriate for intended audience.
Defense: realistic depictions, portrays these actions in a way that is accessible to teenagers.
Why did I include this DVD?
Sundance Audience Award Winner; recommendations from friends.