Hesher (2010)

TJ (Devin Brochu) is a thirteen year old kid, who a few months after losing his mom in car wreck, is riding his bike through a housing development when he crashes and in his anger throws a rock through a window. This summons the long haired, tattooed, heavy metal listening, Hesher (Joseph Gordon-Levitt). Who was squatting in the house TJ through the rock into. After this point Hesher will not leave poor little TJ and his family alone. Joseph Gordon-Levitt was great as the title role, not his best acting job which is "The Lookout", but pretty damn close. From the moment Hesher entered the frame I knew I was going to be watching one crazy ass movie. Now the film never tells us one thing about Hesher, but I thought in doing that it created more of a character that stands out on the screen.Devin Brochu is truly a remarkable kid actor. He has the on-screen presence that most kid actors lack. There are scenes where TJ is being bullied, and they happen to be the worst scenes in the film. Its not because of Brochu it's because of the teenage actor who played the bully, all of his dialogue was absolutely awful, and plus the kid was very pale and reminded me of the movie "Powder" but with spiky red hair.Natalie Portman who plays Nicole, a clerk at a local supermarket that saves TJ from the bully. Portman is great at playing the weird, awkward, indie girl and it shines through in this movie. She also helped produced the movie, so if it wasn't for her, "Hesher" might not have been.Rainn Wilson plays Paul, TJ's father. Paul is depressed and has not changed his clothes or left the couch since he lost his wife. Wilson gives the best performance of his acting career. Every scene that Wilson was in he stole it. Im not going to give anything away, but there is a scene when Paul is arguing with TJ and he has a moment of self-realization, and it was heartbreaking. This is Spencer Susser's first feature film, in which he co-wrote and directed and he could not have done any better, well maybe just writing the dialogue for the bully a little bit better. But other than that, "Hesher" is one hell of an entertaining movie. I give "Hesher" an 8.5 out of 10

I have read a lot of great things and seen constant praise within the last few years about the film Hesher, which made me very curious as to watching it. Hesher is a very interesting story which is about a young rebel named Hesher (Joseph Gordon-Levitt) who forces his way into a kid's life (TJ played by Devin Brochu) after he spots him in grief by throwing a rock in an old abandoned home. TJ lives with his father (Rainn Wilson) and his grandma. TJ and his father are deeply affected by a tragic car accident involving the mother which lead to her death. Being very vulnerable, this makes an opportunity for Hesher to barrage himself into their house and do whatever he feels. Natalie Portman also plays a part in the film as a sad and depressed cashier which TJ has a crush on.Hesher is a film which is clearly not for everyone as it was strictly a Film Festival film (and limited in theatres) causing it to get overlooked. However as for the film, it displays some spark, energy, constant profanity, and simply a basic no rules all for all shock value rebel drama. I personally expected more from Hesher but it works in parts. Felt too muddled, and a lot of the scenes without Hesher were not as interesting and dragged along. Some of the constant cut-aways I did not like too much. One thing about the film is that it kept you guessing but it never got to its full potential. It did not live up to the hype for myself, as I was lead to believe there was more comedy in the film itself and a higher climax, thus leaving disappointed. After watching Hesher, you are left in a very depressing feel as the films just ends. Though in the final scene Hesher does a good deed as he believes it made up for his long overdue visit but I felt that it was not enough. Maybe if we got to know more about Hesher's back story such as where he came from, this film would have succeeded a little more.

Hesher is fun to watch with some comical and touching scenes. All the actors perform very well, especially Devon Brochu, the young man at the center of the film and especially Piper Laurie as his grandmother. Gordon-Levitt's character's actions are funny but confusing: They're inconsistent with reality, well beyond plausibility. Unless there are no police in the subject area of California one cannot understand how Hesher continues to exist. Yet the film is not comical, surrealistic or forgiving enough to overcome such exaggeration. But by applying an undeserved suspension of reality the acting fused with the comic -and sometimes poignant- scenes will pull you in. If you're like me, merely finishing a film on Netflix assigns it merit. Pretentious Spencer Susser got lucky. Hesher is not the insightful masterpiece he may think it is, though it succeeds for other reasons.

Well, what I have just seen... Almost a wow-movie, although such things cannot happen in the United States, cannot they? Nobody called the police or social services as a child was induced to misdemeanors and deeds prohibited to minors? An ode to permitted rudeness and irresponsibility in the event of internal fragility due to tragic past? Nevertheless, all was this was exciting to follow, as the screenplay had a few predictable moments only, most of it (the ending incl.) was surprising and sudden... And the cast - consistent and strong, even minor supporting roles. And it is amazing how such a movie could attract an Academy Award winner (Natalie Portman) and a multiple Academy Award nominee (Piper Laurie) - who perform splendidly. Although the best and biggest roles are performed by Joseph Gordon-Levitt and Devin Brochu, Hesher and TJ, respectively. Additional points from me for politically incorrect satire... I am still wondering what would be the most suitable circle to watch this movie with. All generations were present, but still - Hesher is not a family or kinfolk movie. On the other hand, it deserves more attention and praise it has obtained so far.