Old Habits Die Hard
Movie Review of 'Thumbsucker'
Volume 75, Number 37
| September 15 - 21,
2005FILMTHUMBSUCKERDirected
by Mike MillsSony Pictures
ClassicsOpens Sep.
16COURTESY
SONY PICTURES CLASSICSJustin Cobb
plays a thumbsucking 17-year-old trying to find a connection in his life that
will help him bridge the gap to
maturity.Old Habits Die
HardTeenage
thumbsucking in a world of adult
childrenBy SETH J.
BOOKEYMental health professionals often
emphasize that people often engage in behaviors that make them feel safe. Some
of these things are manifestations of the mind seeking comfort or familiarity
from childhood memories. But in other cases, it's a lot more simple—merely
a matter of continuing a habit from younger years that "adults are supposed to
outgrow."In the case of Justin Cobb (Lou
Pucci), nothing is more comforting, more soothing than sucking his thumb. Of
course, at 17 years old, this habit, harmless though it might be is a cause for
great concern to his family in Mike Mills’ new movie
"Thumbsucker."The adults in
Justin’s life are all hiding behind a variety of personas that mask their
own unhappiness and insecurities. His parents, Mike and Audrey, insist that
their two sons call them by their first names, rather than Mom and Dad, because
they don't want to admit they are responsible adults in their 40s. Mike (Vincent
D'Onofrio) is barrel-like and graying but has let an injury that sidelined a
potential football career overshadow his entire adult life. Audrey (Tilda
Swinton) seems generally disconnected, fantasizing about a TV star Matt Schramm
(Benjamin Bratt), go so far as to get a job at the celebrity rehab center where
the actor winds up. She takes Justin dress shopping and asks him, "Do you think
Matt would like me in this?" Little brother Joel feels the pressure "to be the
normal one" in the family and wisely distances himself from everyone, in part by
gay-baiting Justin—"How come you never talk to
girls?"Outside his family, Justin's
debate coach (Vince Vaughn) lives vicariously through his students. Rebecca, a
potential girlfriend for Justin, initially casts him aside when he refuses to
open up to her, but later manipulates him, because she can. And finally,
Justin's orthodontist Perry (Keanu Reeves) tries a new age approach on his
patient, suggesting hypnosis as a way to get to some root problems, asking, "Are
you ready to let go of your thumb?” But the hypnosis leaves Justin feeling
screwed up, and his resulting manic state prompts his teachers to suggest he try
Ritalin. The medication helps, but adds an unmistakable arrogance to
Justin’s style. His relationship with his debating coach is soon
undermined, and he’s quickly drawn into a maze of sex and
drugs."Thumbsucker" excels in exposing
the fragility that saddles the average family. At one point, Audrey, pale and
faint, notes, "I thought having a family meant you'd never be lonely." When the
Ritalin helps Justin win debates, Mike says to Audrey, "It was easier when he
was always screwing up." The truth of the matter is that Mike is unable to deal
with his son head-on one way or the
other.A persistent theme in the movie is
that that everyone seeks company, but cannot bear the companionship when it
appears. "Thumbsucker" is dominated by detachment and sadness. Happiness remains
a possibility, but Mom longs for the approval of a TV cop and Dad has spent
almost two decades wondering "what if? Perry seems to offer Justin the strongest
bond, but when he tell him, "The trick is living without an answer... I think,"
it’s hard to avoid the feeling that this latest aphorism is simply yet
another "answer." Director Mike Mills
does a great job of using the Oregon suburban landscape to underscore the film's
themes of alienation and yearning. Justin is often separated from others by
lampposts, fences, trees, and roadways. Mills uses a music to create moods as
well, and, though overdone a bit, it often it works well, with one song
suggesting we "find some beautiful place to get
lost."Along with an excellent script,
"Thumbsucker" has great casting. D'Onofrio and Swinton are young enough to fit
the bill of parents who can't believe they are old enough to have a teenage son.
Reeves, who excels in this sort of character role, is perfect as the would-be
guru, and his chemistry with Pucci suggests an older brother or mentor
relationship that works quite
nicely.“Thumbsucker” is
often moody and deals with fraught themes, but is far from a downer. During one
of his debates, Justin questions the idea that "everybody has to be the same."
Ultimately, the film makes clear that Justin has to find his own way in the
world.
Posted: Thu - September 15, 2005 at 01:11 AM
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Published On: Jun 20, 2009 07:03 PM
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