The Wackness

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The Wackness

R

Released Jul 3, 2008

1h 50m

Comedy

Drama

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Popcornmeter

70%

Tomatometer

134 Reviews

72%

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25,000+ Ratings

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.

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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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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

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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

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Derek Malcolm

London Evening Standard

The Wackness, while no masterpiece, is the kind of film that doesn't come to much but is watchable as it saunters along with a provoking sense of meaningful pessimism. The performances are really the thing - Levine hasn't managed anything better.

Rated: 3/5

Aug 29, 2008

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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

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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

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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

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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

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Glen M

very nostalgic look back well made well acted

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

12/04/22

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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

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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

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Audience Member

Really enjoying re-watching the movie

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

02/04/23

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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

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Jonathan Levine

Director

Ben Kingsley

Dr. Squires

Josh Peck

Luke Shapiro

Famke Janssen

Kristin Squires

Olivia Thirlby

Stephanie

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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
Producer: Keith Calder, Felipe Marino, Joe Neurauter
Screenwriter: Jonathan Levine
Distributor: Sony Pictures Classics
Production Co: Shapiro Levine Productions, Occupant Films
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
Runtime: 1h 50m

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