Frequently Bought Together
What Other Items Do Customers Buy After Viewing This Item?
Product details
Would you like to update product info or give feedback on images?
|
Reviews
From Amazon.co.uk
A sterling cast--including Vince Vaughn, Keanu Reeves, Vincent D'Onofrio and especially Tilda Swinton--lifts this coming-of-age story above the norm. Justin (Lou Pucci, Personal Velocity) is 17, yet he still sucks his thumb. Depressed, he frets that his parents (D'Onofrio, Full Metal Jacket, and Swinton, Orlando) are going to split up, that he has no focus in life, and that the girl he longs for can never love him--until his orthodontist (Reeves, The Matrix) hypnotises Justin into quitting his thumbsucking, and a questionable diagnosis of Attention Deficit Disorder results in medication that launches him into a wave of over-achievement. The script, though it has some clever flourishes, never lifts beyond typical adolescent turmoil, but thanks to wonderfully vivid and multi-layered performances (including Vaughn, Wedding Crashers, as a debate teacher with hair issues), the movie never flags. Swinton also executive-produced the movie; she clearly saw in this suburban mother a character she could invest with as much emotion and intensity as the angel Gabriel (Constantine) or the White Witch of Narnia (The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe). It's rich, intricate acting--never showy--yet mesmerizing. Thumbsucker also features Benjamin Bratt (Pinero) and Kelli Garner (Man of the House). --Bret Fetzer, Amazon.com
Product Description
Comedy based on the novel by Walter Kirn. Justin Cobb (Lou Pucci) still sucks his thumb at 17. He wants to stop and knows that his thumbsucking is disrupting his family, his love life and his identity. The only thing that changes his behaviour is hypnosis therapy administered by his 'guru' orthodontist. But while Justin felt this would solve all his problems and he would finally be 'normal', his troubles were really just beginning. Thumbsucking was only a symptom of a deep-seated fear: that he and his father aren't good enough for his mother, and that she would leave them. Thumbsucking was the only way to soothe this fear. Once that is gone Justin spirals into manic behaviour, is diagnosed with ADHD and put on Ritalin, which becomes a substitute for his thumb. When the high of the prescription drugs and a newfound success at school crash, Justin turns to pot and sex to replace his thumb.
Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
6 of 6 people found the following review helpful
By !
Format:DVD
Thumbsucker is a gentle and well observed film, which keeps the audience interested throughout. With strong performances from all the leading roles, the film also includes Keanu Reeves and Vince Vaughn who, surprising, do not seem out of place, and both give their most accomplished performances to date.
Thumbsucker is a story of a teenage boy who cannot stop sucking his thumb, however as the film continues we see the emphasis, not on the thumbsucking, but on the inability of the characters to deal with problems. The thumbsucking is a symbol, be it slightly exaggerated, to allow a viewer to relate to the idea of feeling isolated and concerned by behaviour which is not "normal".
Natural lighting, uncomfortable silences and relatively simple camera work gives the film a very realistic tone, and at the same time the director manages to avoid the over-use of the shaky camera now found in almost all independent films trying to desperately show "realism".
The film gently plods through the story of the thumbsucking teenager as he tries to find himself, but unfortunately I found that the ending was surprising predictable for a relatively unconventional film. Overall, however, Thumbsucker is an engaging and well made film that makes a nice change to the image of squeaky clean film characters. Seems to be one of those, "love it or hate it" things, but it is well worth watching.
P.S. I hate Marmite but liked this film...
Thumbsucker is a story of a teenage boy who cannot stop sucking his thumb, however as the film continues we see the emphasis, not on the thumbsucking, but on the inability of the characters to deal with problems. The thumbsucking is a symbol, be it slightly exaggerated, to allow a viewer to relate to the idea of feeling isolated and concerned by behaviour which is not "normal".
Natural lighting, uncomfortable silences and relatively simple camera work gives the film a very realistic tone, and at the same time the director manages to avoid the over-use of the shaky camera now found in almost all independent films trying to desperately show "realism".
The film gently plods through the story of the thumbsucking teenager as he tries to find himself, but unfortunately I found that the ending was surprising predictable for a relatively unconventional film. Overall, however, Thumbsucker is an engaging and well made film that makes a nice change to the image of squeaky clean film characters. Seems to be one of those, "love it or hate it" things, but it is well worth watching.
P.S. I hate Marmite but liked this film...
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful
4.0 out of 5 stars
Classic coming of age movie with some cameo magic and a mega soundtrack
14 Nov 2007
By F. Winkley
Format:DVD
Some hilarious cameos from Keanu Reeves and Vince Vaughn as well as a great indie cast make sure Thumbsucker isn't just any old coming-of-age movie. Also, the soundtrack is magic: written by Polyphonic Spree, with a little bit of Elliott Smith thrown in for good measure.
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful
By L. Davidson
VINE™ VOICE
Format:DVD
"Thumbsucker" is less a film about a teenage boy with a thumb sucking habit and more of a general observation about life and relationships in a fairly normal American family. The film has strong characterisation, good acting performances and it is a tribute to its qualities that the viewer empathises with and cares about nearly all of the colourful characters in it. We follow young Justin through his thumbsucking awkwardness as eventually appropriate medication solves his problem and his school life and love life begin to flourish. "Thumbsucker" is a well observed, likeable film that deserves a wider audience.
Would you like to see more reviews about this item?
›
Go to Amazon.com to see all 57 reviews
3.6 out of 5 stars
Were these reviews helpful?
Let us know
Most Recent Customer Reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars
Endearingly Sweet Film about How a Teenage Boy Copes with a Regressive...
Not having read the novel of the same title on which this film is based, I thoroughly expected this film to be a teen farce, given the potentially absurd problem that bedevils the... Read more
Published 14 months ago by Gerald Parker
5.0 out of 5 stars
thumbsucker purchase
I am happy with my purchase, it arrived in good nick and didn't take long in the post.
Published on 2 April 2010 by Peter Mclaren
5.0 out of 5 stars
Make every effort
This film adds patience and resonance to understanding what it is that is you. A tribal look at individuality, acceptance, finding happiness, and qualities that reflect your angle... Read more
Published on 1 Nov 2009 by words with wonder
3.0 out of 5 stars
Relax, have a glass of wine and watch.
Reminded me of The Station Agent, in that, though nothing spectacular was happening much, it could have just kept going as you watched what happened next. Read more
Published on 6 Mar 2008 by Chris Morse
4.0 out of 5 stars
Mike Mills has made his mark directing his first feature film
I found "ThumbSucker" to be an emotionally honest film, but not tedious as the film looks for some outlandish opportunities thankfully. Read more
Published on 1 July 2007 by Jenny J.J.I.
1.0 out of 5 stars
Thumbsucker
The movie was all over the place. Could have been good, but they were trying to do too much in one film and it never really got any where.
Published on 4 Jun 2007 by Josie54321
4.0 out of 5 stars
inconsequential but nice
One of those inconsequential indie films that doesn't actually do very much, but ambles along nicely due to some gentle performances. Read more
Published on 8 May 2006 by J. S. Meins
4.0 out of 5 stars
a very touching film
a beautiful film although i found it hard to understand at first,i would definitely recommend it as a heartbreaker!!!
work a watch for sure....
work a watch for sure....
Published on 29 April 2006 by E. Humpage
4.0 out of 5 stars
Brilliant if you can relate
I watched this film and fell in love with it straight away. It has no specific climax, no melodrama to compell the audience, no special effects or explicit sex to grab your... Read more
Published on 9 April 2006 by Jo Haynes
5.0 out of 5 stars
Indescribable
I went to see this movie alone. I left and physically couldn't talk for about an hour afterwards. I was soulfully affected by this film and i can't decide why. Read more
Published on 27 Feb 2006 by "mrighini"
Customer Discussions
|
This product's forum
Active discussions in related forums
Search Customer Discussions
|
Related forums
|
![[Start the discussion]](http://g-ecx.images-amazon.com/images/G/02/x-locale/communities/discussion_boards/start-new-discussion-sec._V192198663_.gif){kind=small}
Listmania!
|
|
Look for similar items by category
Feedback
- Would you like to update product info or give feedback on images?
|
