Sundance Review: The Wackness
Filed under: Comedy, Drama, Sundance, Theatrical Reviews
I was pretty impressed with director John Levine's debut film, the retro-slasher horror throwback known as All the Boys Love Mandy Lane, and so logically I was looking forward to the filmmaker's follow-up project. Unfortunately, Mr. Levine chose to not only direct his sophomore effort, but write it too. And that's where most of the problems start. Based only on his first two films, it's pretty clear that Levine has a gift for the visual side of the equation -- but as far as the writing goes...
The Wackness (yes, that's the actual title, and wait till you hear the actual dialog that inspired the title) feels like something that was written by a bored 17-year-old during one lazy afternoon in detention. And while it's safe to assume that much of The Wackness is based on Levine's own experiences, the potential realism is consistently undone by the writer's affection for cliche, stereotype, and completely unrealistic behavior. A potentially poignant moment is followed by a really obvious drug gag, which is then followed by some small chunk of speech-making that never once sounds like something a human would say.
The plot is this: Luke is a pot dealer who befriends a psychiatrist and then falls in love with the shrink's step-daughter. But what could have made for a perfectly amiable character-based comedy suffers from a string of unnecessary scenes, a few too many facile "life lessons," and a sidekick character who feels like he fell out of a cartoon. When the broken hearts and broken families start rearing their heads, The Wackness veers from wacky to maudlin without missing a beat. And I don't exactly mean that in a good way.
Lead actor Josh Peck never once allows the viewer to "like" him, which makes his personal and romantic travails all the more boring. As Luke's unlikely best pal, Ben Kingsley manages to steal the whole movie with very little effort -- but he does it mainly by delivering up some out-of-left-field volleys of one-liner druggie material. Sure, Kingsley is a lot of fun in a broad and amusing way -- but I thought we were watching an allegedly poignant film about one kid's trip from punk to (relative) grown-up.
The length is another matter altogether. One cannot imagine why a film with this premise and this tone needs to run over 110 minutes in length, but to me, it feels like a filmmaker more in love with his own stuff than he is in reaching an audience. Trim a good twenty minutes from this overlong exercise, and you'd help the comedic pacing a whole lot. (And it's not like the movie doesn't have a few "losable" scenes.) This tale might mean a whole lot to the writer, but as a movie, honestly, we've seen all of this stuff before.
Recommendable for Kingsley's inspired (if somewhat out of place) performance and some surprisingly strong work from young Olivia Thirlby, The Wackness is a fine 85-minute comedy/drama that's stuck inside a too-large frame. It's got some great zingers, a couple moments of honest emotion, and a few entertaining performances. But that's about it. Oh, and if you're living only to see Oscar-winner Ben Kingsley suck face with one of the Olsen twins, The Wackness is an absolute must-see. But seriously: Change the title.
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
1-20-2008 @ 1:52PM
Doug said...
I have to strongly disagree with your review of this film. I just left the Sundance showing at the Eccles Theater where the audience gave the director and its stars a standing ovation. This is a real film that addresses personal issues in a memorable way. It is both funny and touching with a solid storyline. The acting is outstanding, particularly Peck and Kingsley. I would recommend the film to anyone who loves good stories and high quality acting.
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1-20-2008 @ 11:01PM
Scott Weinberg said...
Is this the same packed Eccles crowd that gave ovations to Trade, The Darwin Awards, and Art School Confidential?
;)
Just teasin'. If it makes you feel any better, I definitely seem to be in the minority on this film. My pals from CHUD, AICN, Film Threat, etc., all liked it a lot.
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1-21-2008 @ 1:49PM
Wayne said...
Finally! Someone who calls it like it is! Thank you Mr. Weinberg for stepping away from the rest of the crowd who seem all too eager to throw the word "brilliant" around regarding Mr. Levine. Of course, Ben Kingsley was great, but he truly carried the entire film. As for that attrocious Josh Peck, I hope he goes back to Nickelodeon and I never have to see him again after watching that unrelatable ego trip. I thought agents were supposed to protect their clients from making films like this!
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1-28-2008 @ 6:20PM
Hank_Riordan said...
Brah, I think your review sounds like it was written by a bored 17 year old in detention. Oh wait, they don't allow masterbation in detention, nevermind....
SUCK IT!
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2-04-2008 @ 8:02PM
Steven Pesyk said...
"The Wackness" is great *ensemble* acting ! This work leaves one in the midst of fun, happiness - and melancholy. It begs an enchore/sequel/prequel. At the Sundance premiere - Friday, January 18, 2008 - the audience was noticably moved - and some were teared up at the end.
Sir Ben, Josh, Mary Kate, Olivia - and director Jonathan Levine - were there to take their bows. Jonathan chatted informally with everyone. What a gentleman! We all had a warm cozy feeling. SONY Pictures picked up "The Wackness" distribution a week later, on Sunday, January 27, 2008.
Yes, "The Wackness" won Sundance's "Best Audience Award" the next day, at the film festival's award ceremonies.
I wish that the cast could show up at my Alma Mater, The Juilliard School - in New York City - and show the Juilliard newbies a thing or two about ensemble acting, daring - and self-assuredness.
From the movie: (Olivia's character to Josh's): "You go for the "dopeness", I go for the "wackness" ".
Keep up the good work !
Dr. Steven Pesyk
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2-06-2008 @ 2:34PM
ray said...
This review couldnt be further off. I too saw the showing at eccles and was part of the standing ovation.
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2-12-2008 @ 12:57AM
Aaron said...
The review of this this movie was way to harsh and most of the comments, I thought, were unjustified. Luke, the main character, was interesting and funny while conveying the realism of a teenager who is coping with being an outcast, supporting his family, and being a naive teenager who has his head all fucked up by a girl. If some of the writing seemed to be cliche and full of stereotypes, I think that is partially because that how teenagers talked in NYC in 94'. Ben Kingsly was hilarious while still being this weirdo mentor with some pretty sound advice which made the relationship between him and Luke so great to watch. Its like the next coming-to-age story after thumbsucker except Josh Peck is ten times more badass than Lou Pucci. Plus at the end of the day who would you rather root for, some upper middle class kid with ADD, or the drugdealing teenager from the city with the whole world against him? You were wrong abouts Peck's performance and how he didn't allow the audience to like him, I never once stopped cheering for the guy.
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