Hesher is a new dark dramedy featuring Joseph Gordon Levitt, Rainn Wilson and Natalie Portman. It's been enjoying some mild buzz for some time due to its premiere at Sundance and presumably for the title font on the posters which is unmistakably derived from the Metallica logo. Gordon Levitt plays the titular character, featured in the trailers jumping off a flaming diving board into a pull filled with lawn furniture and potted plants.

In short, this film looked metal as %$*#! Had to check it out.

While Hesher is the catalyst for most of what occurs in the film, he is not the focus. Rather, T.J. (newcomer Devin Brochu), a young boy who lives with his grizzled, pill popping, sweatpants wearing father (Wilson) and sweet but ailing grandmother (Piper Laurie). The family forms a composite character at the center of the film. Their home life is in shambles after the death of T.J.'s mother in a car accident two months earlier.

Enter Hesher. Who is he? We don't know. Where did he come from? Anyone's guess.

What do we come to find out? Well, he drives a beat up black van, likes Metallica and Motorhead, smokes narcotics like they're oxygen, smashes things/blows things up/sets things on fire for no reason, hacks cable boxes with forks to procure illegal adult channels, washes his pants with the belt left in to bang up the washing machine and generally lounges about/soaks up rays... preferably shirtless or, when the mood strikes, in tightie whities so you can see the tattoo of the stick figure shooting himself on his chest and a middle finger on his back.

In other words, Hesher is the greatest character ever written. Don't think so? Well, you are obviously not metal.

After T.J. inadvertently exposes Hesher's squatting residence to the cops, Hesher takes it upon himself to move in with T.J... or rather force himself upon T.J.'s residence. He doesn't ask for anyone's permission and no one has the energy to kick him out.

Throughout the film, Hesher only serves to wreak havoc on the already damaged lives of T.J. and his family. There's moments where he's in a position to better a situation but he opts not to, much to T.J.'s dismay. At others, Hesher deliberately causes mayhem, again, to much dismay, with absolutely no regard for his surroundings. At times, it's hysterical. At others, like watching a train wreck. Either way, his aura of destruction keeps you glued to your seat in anticipation of what's to come.

Natalie Portman plays a troubled minimart clerk who crosses paths with T.J. and Hesher and is inevitably sucked into their troubles. She doesn't exactly contribute much to the story but she's hot, even with split ends, clunky glasses and homely sweatshirts so... she can stay.

And, hell, it's not like she doesn't put on a good performance.

As a matter of fact, everyone is on their A game. Gordon Levitt is flat out stellar. One of his best performances yet. Despite the bluntness and general disinterest exuded by his character, there's moments where you glimpse pain in his eyes. Both the pain T.J.'s family shares and a pain of his own that remains a mystery throughout. Brochu is strong, emotive and carries the weight of the film in carrying the troubles a boy his age shouldn't have to bare. Rainn Wilson is shockingly morose and worn down for the increasingly praised funny man from The Office with his vacant stare, sedated tone and unkempt beard. Never thought I'd see the guy quite like this.

The film has just barely enough gags to constitute a dark comedy. The story itself is packed with misery. It's like the script was written by Alejandro Gonzales-Inarritu and rewritten by Rob Zombie. Yet there's light to be found in the darkness in Piper Laurie, the sweetest old lady ever to grace the screen. She's unwavering in her kindness and at many times funny but has a sadness of her own. Despite the bitter coldness the film piles on as the story unfolds, she provides a current of warmth beneath.

It's a slow build up but the end of the film is truly spectacular. The chances were astronomical that they'd be able to pull off what happens but they do with flying colors. I seriously got chills. A touching and all too satisfying pay off.

The film is not without its flaws. It definitely could've afforded to pick up the pace and its marketing might disappoint those expecting something more humorous. I also think the Metallica songs should've been swapped for Slayer songs. But all in all, a very touching, very emotional, very funny and most of all, very metal flick. Check it out!

Cool review James,

I avoided this because of it's depressing-sounding nature.  I'm sure I'll eventually view it, but I have a few questions.

How depressing is it?  

JGL is damn good actor and for me is one of the most if not most under-rated actors today.  

You said he was on his A-game and gave the performance of his career. This is a bold statement.  Have you seen him in Manic?  I never thought he could top that, do you think he does?  

I'm just asking on your views, I'll probably check this is out regardless, but just curious.

Quoted from mattman2900 How depressing is it?

Well, Rainn Wilson's not funny... at all. That should be some indication.

I wouldn't say it's nearly as depressing as Biutiful or 21 Grams or something but it has the same feel as Inarritu's films in the sense that it throws everything at its characters. The fact that T.J. is just a kid makes it worse. He suffers a lot and all his attempts to better his situation fail. The family unit is sad to watch because I feel like they've all given up on each other and accepted their fate.

I think another thing is that most dark comedies use the dark parts to accentuate the comedy. That's not the case here. The sad parts are generally independent from the comedy. Even World's Greatest Dad played up its darkness even though it did have plenty of straightforward dramatic parts.

That said, World's Greatest Dad, although much more a comedy, felt way more depressing than Hesher. Again, part of what makes Hesher feel the way it does is the sort of fleeting nature of its comedy.

Quoted from mattman2900 You said he was on his A-game and gave the performance of his career. This is a bold statement.  Have you seen him in Manic?  I never thought he could top that, do you think he does?

  

I did not say he gave the performance of his career. Rather one of them. I have not seen Manic. Will have to check it out.

James,

Thanks for starting this thread.
I watched Hesher last night, and I did enjoy the film.
The marketing is pretty is misleading.
This is not Hesher's story, but that's ok.
Personally, I'm a little Rainn Wilson'd out.
Between this and Super, I've had my fill of his sad sack schtick for a while.

Joseph Gordon-Levitt as the titular character is astonishing to watch.
He demands your attention in every scene and he earns it.
The plot is nothing special, but it works.
Hesher excels at the details more so than overall structure.
The turnaround ending felt a little cheesy at times, but it works mostly.

Sad to say this one didn't even make a million at the boxoffice.
The marketing makes it out to be Jackass with metal music.
By cramming every ounce of property damage in the film into the trailer.
Why would anyone want to see a fictional Jackass?
When we can cut right to the stunt and watch Johnny Knoxville be a douche.

A standout performance, strong kid actor and a great 90s vibe bolster Hesher.
Check it out.

E.D.

This picture got messed up in the distribution chain, E.D. Sad, but it happens sometimes. You would think it would be tough to screw up a picture with JGL and Natalie Portman in it, but when guys with a lot of money fight about a lot of money, well then, there you go...

I've been meaning to see this. Let's just say I'm a JGL "fan" so I'm interested to see the performance he gives. Where did you guys see it - theater, DVD?

Quoted from ajr This picture got messed up in the distribution chain, E.D. Sad, but it happens sometimes. You would think it would be tough to screw up a picture with JGL and Natalie Portman in it, but when guys with a lot of money fight about a lot of money, well then, there you go... I've been meaning to see this. Let's just say I'm a JGL "fan" so I'm interested to see the performance he gives. Where did you guys see it - theater, DVD?

I recall a similar distribution snafu hamstringing "I Love You, Philip Morris" for years.
I watched a DVD screener that came across my desk.

E.D.