Not another one. Not another coy indie movie dripping in adolescent mope, firing rubber darts at the decrepit targets of suburban ennui, Prozac panaceas and family dysfunction to the pity-me plaints of cloying collegiate pop. We shan't be spared. "Thumbsucker" arrives like the doofus partygoer who shows up after the keg has been sucked dry and revelers have passed out, slack streamers twisting in a hungover torpor. Just when you thought last summer's "The Chumscrubber" was good and gone comes a less ambitious but equally trying dissection of topics that were limping and hackneyed when they appeared in "American Beauty," "Donnie Darko" and "Garden State." Watching "Thumbsucker," I almost screamed. Read the full review
Justin Cobb 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 behavior 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.
Director: Mike Mills (II), Bob Yari, Mike Mills
Starring: Lou Pucci, Tilda Swinton, Vince Vaughn, Vincent D'Onofrio, Keanu Reeves
Run time: 94 minutes
Release date: Sept. 16, 2005
Rating: R for drug/alcohol use and sexuality involving teens, language and a disturbing image.
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Austin American-Statesman: 2 of 5 stars
"Jazzed on his meds, Justin becomes an ace school debater, furnishing a few witty sparks in this gummy pudding. But for most of the film he is shy, guarded and boring as a shoe."
The Palm Beach Post: B
"While not fully satisfying, it is an impressive showcase of emerging talent."
