The Wackness

The Wackness. (2008). Sony Picture.
ASIN B001J9KJ48
99 min
Format: DVD
Genre: Coming of age
Classification: Fiction
Age level: Age 17 and up

Reader's annotation
During the summer after graduation, Luke forms a close friendship with Dr. Squires, a psychiatrist he pays with bags of weed. Luke falls for Dr. Squires’s stepdaughter Stephanie against a backdrop of New York City in the early 1990s.

Summary
Luke has just graduated from high school and spends his time wandering around New York City in the summer of 1994 listening to hip-hop mixed tapes on his Walkman, and dealing a little pot out of an ice cream cart. One of his best customers is Dr. Squires, a psychiatrist who exchanges therapy sessions with Luke for a little dope. Luke falls in love with Dr. Squires’ stepdaughter, Stephanie, who is a pretty girl killing some time while her boyfriend is away for the summer. Stephanie and Luke spend a romantic weekend at her family beach house in Fire Island and she encourages him to change his view of life and see the dopeness, not the wackness. Dr. Squires and Luke form a close friendship, and each has a lot of growing up to do as their personal relationships change and they struggle to understand those closest to them. Luke’s father has some financial trouble and the family faces a move to New Jersey, and Luke starts to think about leaving for college. Meanwhile, Dr. Squires starts to make some plans for his own future.

Notes
The Wackness stars Josh Peck and Ben Kingsley. Josh Peck does a wonderful job portraying Luke. This character seems so true to life; he’s sensitive without being idealized which makes him very easy to empathize with and relate to. Rated R for drug use and sexual scenes

Awards and honors
Sundance Film Festival Audience Award: Drama, 2008

Also recommended
The Darjeeling Limited, Superbad, Son of Rambow, Mister Foe, Igby Goes Down