The Wackness
2008 · Directed by Jonathan Levine
Original language: English
- drama
- comedy
- romance
The story
Set in New York City in the sweltering summer, The Wackness tells the story of a troubled teenage drug dealer, who trades pot for therapy sessions with a drug-addled psychiatrist. Things get more complicated when he falls for one of his classmates, who just happens to be the doctor's daughter. This is a coming-of-age story about sex, drugs, music and what it takes to be a man.
What it’s like
Hot, hazy New York summer light: sun-bleached sidewalks, stoop shade, dusty apartment interiors lit by window glare, and a soundtrack that leans on hip-hop of the late-nineties, all loose and warm. The camera stays close and conversational, with easy handheld moves through the city and quiet two-shots in the psychiatrist's cluttered office, where the framing lets awkward silences sit. Vibe: lazy, wistful, a little melancholy, with flashes of goofy humor. It suits a slow weekend afternoon, a late-night watch when you want something human rather than flashy, or a summer rewatch with a cold drink. The pace is unhurried, built around talk, drifting days and small emotional shifts rather than set pieces. Its lead is a sheltered, grieving teenager gradually learning to be vulnerable, and the older characters are just as lost, which gives the film a tender, bruised honesty. Drug use and sex are present and frank, with some sexual content and profanity, but there is no graphic violence and little real danger; the tension is mostly emotional and social. Made for viewers who enjoy character-driven coming-of-age stories with a melancholy streak, a bit of wry humor, and a strong sense of place.
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