Thumbsucker

Justin (Lou Taylor Pucci) is 17, and he still sucks his thumb. His world is thrown into disarray when he tries to kick the habit. Video director Mike Mills makes an impressive feature debut, scoring a stellar cast that includes Keanu Reeves as a hippie orthodontist and Vince Vaughn as an uptight teacher. Pucci is the main reason the film works. His portrayal of confused adolescence is as vivid as any of recent memory. He has a big future. Every character in the film has a point and depth because Mills is gifted at accentuating the little details that make them human. At times, the film feels a little like Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind, but that’s probably because it has lots of The Polyphonic Spree on its soundtrack. Reeves and Vaughn have bit parts, but each makes the most of them. Also much worth noting is Kelli Garner, who plays Justin’s love interest. This is a little film that deserves to be seen.