Hesher (2010)
Summary
Genre: DramaGoodies:
+ Visceral performance from Joseph Gordon-Levitt, + Social commentary about grief and healing, + A film that feels real to lifeBaddies:
- Frustrating character development, at timesHesher is a loner. He hates the world and everyone in it. He has long greasy hair and homemade tattoos. He is malnourished and smokes a lot of cigarettes. He likes fire and blowing things up. He lives in his van, until he meets TJ
Hesher is a hard movie to review as it is such a visceral film. In many ways, the film is stripped of any bells and whistles (this type of filmmaking reminds me of “The Good Girl” — and in other ways as well, such as the somber nature of it). The film works because it doesn’t just make you feel for the characters, it makes you fear, empathize, and want to reach out and hug the characters (or run away). The opening scene perfects the setup for the film, a young boy riding his bike as if being chased by a crazed maniac to catch up to the demolished car that he was in during a car accident that his mother died in. Every emotional reaction in this film is pivotal and makes the viewer share in the experiences. Enter, “Hesher”, someone truly to fear, a loose cannon. Hesher reminds me of some people I know back home, almost an amalgamation of unpredictability, violence, and emptiness. In some ways you feel bad for him, but just like in the movie, you should tread carefully because his anger is explosive. Enter Natalie Portman’s character, a very unsure of herself candidate for saddest girl on Earth. She gets mixed up in this crazy relationship where Hesher moves in with the small boy, and in some ways makes him grow up and realize how to deal with his grief. The thing I love most about Hesher is how it is able to hit you over the head saying that one size fits all for grief relief. We never know how the people in our lives are going to help us through the tough times, even if they are an erratic madman. The characters are painted beautifully, and Hesher doesn’t just feel like a character, he feels realistic. In some ways, the film reminded me of “Rabbit Hole” as a study in getting through the hard parts of life (though very different methods). It’s hard to really articulate all of the ways that Hesher proves worthy of your time, but I would recommend the film!
How did you see this movie? Its not in the Bangor Cinema yet, i want to see it really bad
I wasn’t aware it wasn’t released yet? I obtain my viewing of some films in an alternative methodology.
Haha well i was unaware of the release of this movie, as i saw the trailer not to long ago, and it seemed like it was being set up as a summer movie. Alternative Methodology? Ill have to look this one up then with my own Methodology…