Thumbsucker

Mike Mills’ debut feature film is an honest adaptation of Walter Kirn’s novel, telling the story of 17 year-old Justin Cobb who, to the resounding disappointment of his parents, still sucks his thumb and is an introvert failing miserably at school. Diagnosed with Attention Deficit Disorder, Justin is prescribed Ritalin and given hypnosis therapy by a crazy Orthodontist and begins to excel in the school debating team. However, he soon realises that his newfound “normality” may be stunting his true personality.

Teen-angst and coming-of-age stories are not new and while this film may cover chartered territory, it does so in such a unique way it feels like the first time, and every awful moment of being a teenager comes flooding back. Completely engaging, this film hooks you in from the word go and does not relent until the credits roll and you try and take in how much you are instantly in love with this film. Justin could pretty much be any teenager who’s ever felt alienated, rejected, isolated, different, awkward or all of the above, who eventually comes to the truthful conclusion that in your teens or not, nobody really gets it. Lou Taylor Pucci’s lead performance is so understated and gentle, he is an absolute joy to watch, and a real talent to follow. The support cast are equally brilliant; even the wooden Keanu Reeves manages to pull off a great performance and his New Age dentist character is hilarious. Justin’s mixed-up parents are played to perfection and Vince Vaughn as Justin’s debate team teacher and Benjamin Bratt as a TV celebrity are both absolutely hilarious.

This really is an incredible film, ultimately not just about being a teenager and growing up, but being any age and trying to figure out what the hell is going on, and where our place in the world is.

Hannah Upton