Thumbsucker Movie Review by Ryan A. Loera

Stars:
Lou Taylor Pucci - Justin Cobb
Keanu Reeves - Perry Lyman
Kelli Garner - Rebecca
Tilda Swinton - Audrey Cobb
Vincent D'onofrio - Mike Cobb
Vince Vaughn - Mr. Geary

Director: Mike Mills
Release Date: January 23, 2005
Genre: Coming of age/Comedy-drama
Rated R

Thumbsucker is a movie about a teenage boy who can't stop sucking his thumb. Well… it's about a little more than that.

Justin Cobb (Lou Taylor Pucci) is your typical awkward teenager with high hopes for the future. Unfortunately, his inability to focus and thumbsucking affliction hold him back.

His Dad, Mike Cobb (Vincent D'onofrio), eventually becomes so fed up with his thumbsucking that he resorts to weird methods. Such as writing his initials on Justin's thumbs.

Justin's Mom, Audrey Cobb (Tilda Swinton), believes nothing is really wrong with Justin. She chalks it up to normal teenage awkwardness. Which, from her point of view, makes sense considering she's seen far worse addictions at the drug rehab center where she works as a nurse.

Perry Lyman (Keanu Reeves), Justin's orthodontist and unofficial spiritual advisor, attempts to halt Justin's thumbsucking via hypnosis. The effects of which force Justin into a temporary downward spiral of withdrawal.

Luckily, Justin quickly befriends his debate team partner and long time crush Rebecca (Kelli Garner). They flirt with the notion of becoming more than friends but Rebecca quickly puts a stop to it when Justin refuses to be completely open and honest with her.

A few days later, he has a panic attack of sorts while preparing for a debate at school. His teacher Mr. Geary (Vince Vaughn) develops a real interest in his well being and, with the expertise of the school counselor, suggests the use of medication to Justin's parents.

They are against it at first but then become open to it once Justin tells them he feels he could really benefit from the psychoactive effects that only medication can provide.

The medication does help Justin focus more and become the star of the debate team. However, he ultimately realizes that all he did was trade one addiction for another.

Thumbsucker has many heartwarming scenes and many comedic scenes. The ending isn't what one would expect but it leaves much to the imagination.

On a scale of 1 tamale to 10 tamales I give Thumbsucker a delicious 7 tamales.

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