Thumbsucker

Aroview: An accomplished, resolutely unconventional drama in which a 17 year-old boy (Pucci) is encouraged, cajoled and medicated into breaking the thumb-sucking habit which he never shook off in early childhood.

Baited by a hostile father (D'Onofrio), overlooked by a dreamy mother (Swinton) and eventually helped by a psychologising dentist (Reeves), Pucci discovers finds various forms of solace, the plot pitching forward in a tone of outsider irony borrowed from the likes of DONNIE DARKO. Although presenting an over-quirky (and over-familiar) portrait of alienated teenhood, the strong writing and performances all knit together into an effectively gratifying dish which certainly does not 'suck'.

NZ International Film Festival 2005

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