For the
sake of not having to write the same intro a million
different ways throughout the rest of time, just know that
this column avoids the overly long and sometimes dull
process of full film reviews and instead opts to break
things down based on what I thought going in, what happened
while I was there and what I learned at the end of it all.
Thanks for reading!
The
Breakdown - Hesher
The Impression:
It is a film starring Joseph Gordon-Levitt about a
long-haired, metal-lover named Hesher. You had me at the
title.
The Reality:
Joseph Gordon-Levitt is turning out to be one of the more
interesting actors of his generation. I can’t say I think
he’s broken in to super-stardom yet (nor can I say he wants
to), but the man just continues to pick challenging material
that strips away the audience general impression of him
(i.e. the kid from Third Rock).
Hesher, the first film from Blue Tongue member Spencer
Susser, follows a family breaking apart after the death of
their matriarch as they are brought back together by the
destructive yet loving force of a pot-smoking,
violence-wrecking, metalhead named Hesher (Joseph Gordon-Levitt).
There is a fairy tale aspect to the film, that finds Hesher
as a sort of guardian angel to Devin Brochu’s T.J. (a
performance that jumps from quiet to too loud too quickly
and too often). A guardian angel who smokes weed and
cigarettes and drives around in his beat-up fan rocking
Slayer and destroying shit. Rainn Wilson plays T.J’s dad as
a man ruined by the loss of his wife, addicted to
painkillers and the sweet sleep they allow him to escape in
to. The story as written doesn’t push very many boundaries
(and devolves in to strangely sentimental pap near the end)
but the performances are stellar. Gordon-Levitt’s Hesher
feels as if he might throw a chair through the cinema’s
screen, step out in to the audience and kick some ass. It’s
a testament to his acting ability the Gordon-Levitt takes
what could be a one-note throwaway and turns Hesher in to a
visceral character who’s embodiment off life’s extremes
believably help other people out. Susser makes violence in
the film both the catalyst for near everything and does so
ably by making the violent acts shocking and bone-crushing.
I worried for the eleven year-old protagonist throughout the
film as Susser just beats the shit out of him, and its this
fear of violence that makes the film and Hesher as a
character work. Natalie Portman pops up in the film lacing
another could-be stereotypical female character with a soft
vulnerability. Susser doesn’t stick the landing, but the
ramp up is entirely enjoyable to view. He’s one I’ll happily
watch out for.
The Lesson:
Follow Joseph Gordon-Levitt to hell and back.
- Noah Sanders
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