Review of "Hesher"

Review of Hesher (2010)
Directed by Spencer Susser
Written by Spencer Susser, David Michôd, and Brian Charles Frank
Starring: Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Devin Brochu, Rainn Wilson, Piper Laurie, and Natalie Portman
Review by Jennie Brouse

Synopsis: After the death of his mother, young T.J., confused and feeling alone, meets Hesher, an unpredictable, impulsive man, who seems mean at first, but just may teach him something about life.

Review: Hesher centers around the life of adolescent T.J. (played by an impressive Devin Brochu), a young boy growing up with his father (played by Rainn Wilson) and grandmother (played by Piper Laurie), left depressed and confused after the death of his mother two months before. Unsure of what to do with himself, and attempting to hold on to the last memory of his mother that he has, T.J. desperately tries to get the family car back when his father has to give it away. Because T.J. is angry and upset, he throws a rock through a window of a house he believes to be abandoned, and he meets Hesher.

Hesher (played by Joseph Gordon-Levitt), is a metal-loving, long-haired all-around crazy dude. He gets angry with T.J. for breaking the window of his "home" and soon enough, Hesher appears again, now telling T.J. that he must tell his father and grandmother that he is a friend of his. Out of fright, T.J. goes along with it, and Hesher begins living in their house. For T.J., who is already confused and upset, the presence of Hesher is a burden he is not ready to accept. Hesher seems to make T.J.'s life way worse, not better, and T.J. grows increasingly annoyed. Hesher even sees T.J. being picked on by a bully, and just walks away, not even attempting to help T.J.

The idea of Hesher and the way he acts is almost too out there to be believable, but just when the audience believes Hesher really is a terrible person, he does something decent that makes people believe in him again. Although a little strange, the film was quite enjoyable, and newcomer Devin Brochu as T.J. was especially impressive. Joseph Gordon-Levitt impresses as well, playing someone much different than, say, Tom from (500) Days of Summer. Overall, the characters (and of course the actors who play them) are what make this film worth seeing.

Overall Rating: 3.5/5

Upcoming Review: Super 8 (2011)