DVD Review - Thumbsucker

Mike Mills Thumbsucker was shown at last year's Sundance Film Festival and it falls under the one of Sundance's favorite topics - coming of age. But the film, based on Walter Kirn's novel, doesn't take the usual route.

Justin (Lou Pucci) has an unusual habit. He is seventeen years old and sucks his thumb. His father (Vincent D'Onofrio) constantly criticizes him for it. His mother (Tilda Swinton) is less critical. Justin also has other problems. He can't seem to focus in school. He is diagnosed with ADD and starts to take medicine. His personality changes and he becomes a great debater - much to the happiness of his debating teacher (Vince Vaughn). And he starts to notice girls. But Justin doesn't stay on the meds for that long.

There are things happening in this film but they are not dramatic enough to make a really interesting film. Pucci does a good job but the other actors are wasted. The film has a sweetness about it and it not terrible. But it just isn't that gripping either. Keanu Reeves plays Justin's weird dentist and Benjamin Bratt plays a television actor that Justin thinks his mother is having an affair with. The background music, with the awful singing, was very annoying. All in all, a noble attempt but nothing more.