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      The Wackness

      R Released Jul 3, 2008 1 hr. 50 min. Comedy Drama List
      71% 136 Reviews Tomatometer 72% 25,000+ Ratings Audience Score It's summer in New York City, the year is 1994, and teenage marijuana dealer Luke Shapiro (Josh Peck) is trading dime bags for sessions with his therapist, Dr. Squires (Ben Kingsley). Luke has girl troubles and self-esteem issues, but the doctor has problems of his own -- namely, his deteriorating marriage and midlife crisis. Together, the mismatched pair launch across the metropolis on an odyssey full of girls (Olivia Thirlby, Mary-Kate Olsen), hip-hop and cannabis smoke. Read More Read Less Watch on Fandango at Home Premiered Jun 27 Buy Now

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      The Wackness

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      Critics Consensus

      Sympathetic characters and a clever script help The Wackness overcome a familiar plot to make for a charming coming-of-age comedy.

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      Audience Reviews

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      KEVIN C A young high schooler played by Josh Peck who deals marijuana becomes unlikely friends with one of his clients, an eccentric psychiatrist played by Ben Kingsley and falls for his step daughter played by Olivia Thirlby. Kind of a coming of age story that has some sweet moments that shine through the grit and grime of a New York story. Quite enjoyable. Famke Janssen also is featured although not as heavily as I'd like. Rated 3 out of 5 stars 01/03/23 Full Review Glen M very nostalgic look back well made well acted Rated 4 out of 5 stars 12/04/22 Full Review andy h It's a simply fine film that's become more interesting thanks to Josh's revelations in his memoir with the subject matter and his career. Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars 03/31/23 Full Review Audience Member pretty good, but the sex scenes are numerous, long, and excessively pornographic. i'm sure plenty of people would love to watch things like that, but it doesn't fit with the rest of the quality portions of the story. Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars 02/14/23 Full Review Audience Member Really enjoying re-watching the movie Rated 5 out of 5 stars 02/04/23 Full Review Audience Member An unlikely friendship develops between a high school pot dealer and his boomer shrink, and over the course of a summer they attempt to fix each other's dysfunctional lives. If you can overlook some plot conceits (we're supposed to believe that a handsome and likeable drug dealer is completely friendless) The Wackness is a very watchable coming of age story helped along by a good script and solid acting. Ben Kingsley gives a cheeky performance as a pot and pill addled psychiatrist, and a laid back ‘90s hip hop soundtrack sets the mood. Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars 01/14/23 Full Review Read all reviews Post a rating

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      Critics Reviews

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      Hank Sartin Time Out Rated: 3/5 Nov 18, 2011 Full Review David Stratton The Australian If nothing else, it's probably worth seeing for the kissing scene between Kingsley and Mary-Kate Olsen. Rated: 3.5/5 Nov 19, 2008 Full Review Jim Schembri The Age (Australia) It muddles through on its period infatuation and on Kingsley's dope-loving turn as a doctor constantly on the verge of another hit. Rated: 2/5 Nov 14, 2008 Full Review Leigh Paatsch Herald Sun (Australia) The film's subtle shifts in tone and intent are handled brilliantly by Josh Peck, who plays a troubled teen drug dealer with the damaged bravado and raw honesty of a young De Niro. Rated: 3.5/5 Sep 11, 2020 Full Review David Lamble Bay Area Reporter Jonathan Levine's Sundance hit comedy bonds a drug-dealing teen with an eccentric psychiatrist in a daffy search through Rudyland. Jun 1, 2020 Full Review Debbie Lynn Elias Behind The Lens What can I say? THE WACKNESS is the most WACKTASTIC, FAN -*$&%ING-TASTIC film of the year! Nov 6, 2019 Full Review Read all reviews

      Movie Info

      Synopsis It's summer in New York City, the year is 1994, and teenage marijuana dealer Luke Shapiro (Josh Peck) is trading dime bags for sessions with his therapist, Dr. Squires (Ben Kingsley). Luke has girl troubles and self-esteem issues, but the doctor has problems of his own -- namely, his deteriorating marriage and midlife crisis. Together, the mismatched pair launch across the metropolis on an odyssey full of girls (Olivia Thirlby, Mary-Kate Olsen), hip-hop and cannabis smoke.
      Director
      Jonathan Levine
      Screenwriter
      Jonathan Levine
      Distributor
      Sony Pictures Classics
      Production Co
      Occupant Films, Shapiro Levine Productions
      Rating
      R (Pervasive Drug Use|Language|Some Sexuality)
      Genre
      Comedy, Drama
      Original Language
      English
      Release Date (Theaters)
      Jul 3, 2008, Limited
      Release Date (Streaming)
      Feb 20, 2009
      Box Office (Gross USA)
      $2.1M
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