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The Wackness

Play trailer Poster for The Wackness R 2008 1h 50m Comedy Drama Play Trailer Watchlist
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70% Tomatometer 134 Reviews 72% Popcornmeter 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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The Wackness

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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Critics Reviews

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David Stratton The Australian 11/19/2008
3.5/5
If nothing else, it's probably worth seeing for the kissing scene between Kingsley and Mary-Kate Olsen. Go to Full Review Jim Schembri The Age (Australia) 11/14/2008
2/5
It muddles through on its period infatuation and on Kingsley's dope-loving turn as a doctor constantly on the verge of another hit. Go to Full Review Derek Malcolm London Evening Standard 08/29/2008
3/5
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. Go to Full Review Leigh Paatsch Herald Sun (Australia) 09/11/2020
3.5/5
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. Go to Full Review David Lamble Bay Area Reporter 06/01/2020
Jonathan Levine's Sundance hit comedy bonds a drug-dealing teen with an eccentric psychiatrist in a daffy search through Rudyland. Go to Full Review Debbie Lynn Elias Behind The Lens 11/06/2019
What can I say? THE WACKNESS is the most WACKTASTIC, FAN -*$&%ING-TASTIC film of the year! Go to Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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thiago s @Thiagostone Oct 3 Filme fraco, o roteiro é fraco, as cenas são fracas, a história é fraca, o elenco é fraco, e ninguém ajuda a melhorar o filme, os personagens são fracos, e o filme deveria ter cenas bem melhores e relevantes, para fazer o filme ser bom See more KEVIN C @RT21901671 01/03/2023 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. See more Glen M @RT78207714 12/04/2022 very nostalgic look back well made well acted See more prawnda s @RT72497680 02/27/2022 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. See more 02/22/2022 Really enjoying re-watching the movie See more 03/17/2021 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. See more Read all reviews
The Wackness

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Cast & Crew

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Jonathan Levine

Director

Ben Kingsley

Dr. Squires

Josh Peck

Luke Shapiro

Famke Janssen

Kristin Squires

Olivia Thirlby

Stephanie

Mary-Kate Olsen

Union

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The Wackness

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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
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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