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The Wackness

Play trailer Poster for The Wackness R,  2008,  1h 50m,  Comedy/ Drama Play Trailer Watchlist
Watchlist 70% 133 Reviews Tomatometer 72% 25,000+ Ratings Popcornmeter
70% Tomatometer 133 Reviews 72% Popcornmeter 25,000+ Ratings
It's summer in New York City, the year is 1994, and teenage marijuana dealer Luke Shapiro (Josh Peck) is trading dime bags for sessions with his therapist, Dr. Squires (Ben Kingsley). Luke has girl troubles and self-esteem issues, but the doctor has problems of his own -- namely, his deteriorating marriage and midlife crisis. Together, the mismatched pair launch across the metropolis on an odyssey full of girls (Olivia Thirlby, Mary-Kate Olsen), hip-hop and cannabis smoke.
The Wackness

What to Know

Critics Consensus

Sympathetic characters and a clever script help The Wackness overcome a familiar plot to make for a charming coming-of-age comedy.

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Critics Reviews

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David Stratton The Australian Nov 19, 2008
3.5/5
If nothing else, it's probably worth seeing for the kissing scene between Kingsley and Mary-Kate Olsen. Go to Full Review
Jim Schembri The Age (Australia) Nov 14, 2008
2/5
It muddles through on its period infatuation and on Kingsley's dope-loving turn as a doctor constantly on the verge of another hit. Go to Full Review
Derek Malcolm London Evening Standard Aug 29, 2008
3/5
The Wackness, while no masterpiece, is the kind of film that doesn't come to much but is watchable as it saunters along with a provoking sense of meaningful pessimism. The performances are really the thing - Levine hasn't managed anything better. Go to Full Review
Leigh Paatsch Herald Sun (Australia) Sep 11, 2020
3.5/5
The film's subtle shifts in tone and intent are handled brilliantly by Josh Peck, who plays a troubled teen drug dealer with the damaged bravado and raw honesty of a young De Niro. Go to Full Review
David Lamble Bay Area Reporter Jun 1, 2020
Jonathan Levine's Sundance hit comedy bonds a drug-dealing teen with an eccentric psychiatrist in a daffy search through Rudyland. Go to Full Review
Debbie Lynn Elias Behind The Lens Nov 6, 2019
What can I say? THE WACKNESS is the most WACKTASTIC, FAN -*$&%ING-TASTIC film of the year! Go to Full Review
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Audience Reviews

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Draco S Jan 26, 2018 After seeing The Wackness and Warm Bodies I am convinced that director Jonathan Levine is an annoying, pompous, hipster windbag without any identity to call his own. Fortunately, The Wackness had a number of other elements that elevated it above the crap-fest that was Warm Bodies. Granted, Josh Peck acts about as well as Levine writes/directs but thanks to a complex, screwball performance by Ben Kingsley and a story set in the fascinating yet seldom tackled era of the 1990s, The Wackness manages to coast on its chuckles, charm, and amusing, if not insignificant, philosophical insight. See more
Poe G Jul 23, 2017 My favorite movie. I hope one day it gets some kind of renaissance and receives the attention it deserves.
Poe S Feb 27, 2017 When we are used to being on the other side. When we prefer the other side, when our own side is intolerable, only uses us, don't see us, don't feel us or don't understand us. When we are on the other side, when it provides what we need, or want. When the other side helps pass the time get through life and youth, make things seem less depressing. When we don't kno2 why we can't get on the other side when we see eye to eye with our clients and those 2hom seem interested. When we don't see eye to eye with all those whom are on the same side as us we deem Strange or crazy. When we our on sides in the first plaCe based on how we see the world and people and put them on a side. When we don't necessarily choose sides but it chooses us. When we are introduced to a different side we are curious to know more in what it has to offer. When some sides don't need venturing when they are desperate and try to pull us in. When we hide, shut, and open the doors to sides that we naturally are on the outside. When we are on the other side we prefer when we fantasize, dream and hallucinate. When we are on the other side when we are pushed out when others have something better to go with their life. When we are on the other side when we don't care about something that matter and things we care about that don't matter. When commonalities, similarities and differences just put us on the other side when we unique. When being on some sides too often and seeing it for what it is when need to get out. When we naturally have a other side when we have another side to us. When coming of age means we have to jump to the other side and change. When some are just loyal to one side that they work on themselves to get better and improve on themselves. When some sides we prefer more then others 2hen we like what we see. When the side we like is the one that makes us feel good. When some sides we like are the ones we are appreciated, in control of, and open, and not afraid when we are confident. When some sides we are shut off from we don't understand we choose the safe side our own side. When some sides are only good when they are good for business, pleasure, provides for us, and makes us seem we have everything together. When some sides don't want us and push us out when We are bad for business. When it's good to share some sides with people or be on the other side. When some sides are faulty that need fixing. When some sides we wish not to show qhen that's not the arrangement and we are given another but good side depending on your perspective. When we enjoy being on the same side, but its only for a short while. When others don't share the same side as others may think. When being side by side helps keeps us together and on different sides. And being on opposite sides keeps us the on the same side. When we wish to be on the side you want us to be on so we remain close. When some sides we show that the different side to us which people are not ready for. When some sides we wish to be recognized when its true. When we chose a side we are loyal to long ago that we contemplate. When the other side is good and pays the bill but so does the other side when its fun. When some sides we venture into are too much for us to handle, and other sides we fit in just well when we mix the two together to understand things better. When some sides we see brighten our day and enlighten us to what we never knew existed. When the things & people we are introduced to can bring out a side we never knew. When some sides we can no longer tolerate or keep close when we have to be truthful to ourselves and others. When some sides we will miss if we left them that we choose to stay. When the side of loyalty brings us closer together. When the side of disloyalty brings us farther apart when we are revealed a different side as well. When it's not easy revealing some sides that make us happy to others for failure they will accept them. When we are not loyal to the sides we are happy with and decide to change, we remain on a disloyal side, unless we are returning. When some sides we choose make us alive that make us stay loyal. When some sides we must let go, and others we remain loyal to when we enjoy the vary thing what made us stick to each other side in the first place. When there are places that carry plenty of ways to show various sides of ourselves that we can turn to. When the sides we choose are much healthier alternatives than others. When we try to find the bright side of things and leave on a good side. When being on both sides of the tracks is better then just being on one, when we have many sides we enjoy. When we wish all our sides could be accepted, but not suited. When some sides we are not suited for and have to return back. Visuals-4.0 Directing-4.5 Music-4.5 Screenplay-5 Acting-4.0 Level of Interest-5 Complexity-4.0 Timing-5 Twist & Turns-3.0 Message-4.0 See more
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The Wackness

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Movie Info

Synopsis It's summer in New York City, the year is 1994, and teenage marijuana dealer Luke Shapiro (Josh Peck) is trading dime bags for sessions with his therapist, Dr. Squires (Ben Kingsley). Luke has girl troubles and self-esteem issues, but the doctor has problems of his own -- namely, his deteriorating marriage and midlife crisis. Together, the mismatched pair launch across the metropolis on an odyssey full of girls (Olivia Thirlby, Mary-Kate Olsen), hip-hop and cannabis smoke.
Director
Jonathan Levine
Producer
Keith Calder, Felipe Marino, Joe Neurauter
Screenwriter
Jonathan Levine
Distributor
Sony Pictures Classics
Production Co
Shapiro Levine Productions, Occupant Films
Rating
R (Pervasive Drug Use|Language|Some Sexuality)
Genre
Comedy, Drama
Original Language
English
Release Date (Theaters)
Jul 3, 2008, Limited
Release Date (Streaming)
Feb 20, 2009
Box Office (Gross USA)
$2.1M
Runtime
1h 50m
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