Hesher

"Hesher"
Starring: Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Natalie Portman, Devin Brochu, Rainn Wilson, Piper Laurie
Directed by: Spencer Susser
106 minutes
2010/USA

Joseph Gordon-Levitt goes full grunge as the titular character in Hesher, playing a chain-smoking pyromaniac  with no past and no apparent future. He's a cartoon character, or some product of MTV who happens to step in on the life of young T.J and his family during the grieving process for T.J's mother. Hesher serves as the not so subtle, harshly designed "role model" for young T.J. (Brochu) in the film. Gordon-Levitt has had a string of recent success, but plays completely against type here. It's mostly a one note performance, but Gordon-Levitt has this unpredictable sensibility that keeps his character interesting, even when the film isn't.

The film itself is kind of a mess, but oddly intriguing throughout. Written and directed by Spencer Susser, Hesher represents nothing less than an indie Sundance product, an "in your face" film that wears its heart way too heavily on its sleeve. I lost track of how many times a car windshield or house window was broken, I've already designed a drinking game around this repeated action. While Hesher's motivations aren't outright stated, we pick up on the fact that he's teaching T.J. how to survive and deal with struggle months after his mother's death. He eventually moves in, which is not even frowned upon by T.J's dad played by Rainn Wilson, and his grandmother played by Piper Laurie. For once, Wilson is given a role that is void of any comedic sensibility, playing a straight-faced father with no real idea of what his son is up to. His arc, while not supremely essential, is just as predictable as we'd expect, thus summing up the film's myriad of problems. Natalie Portman also shows up as a geeky grocery clerk, while still stunning, Portman's relationship with T.J. is one of the best aspects of the film. The film's best asset is indeed the young Devin Brouchu, mostly directed to deliver the same reactionary response, but is resilient throughout while being put through the emotional and physical wringer.

While it takes place in Los Angeles, the world of Hesher is just as ridiculous as it looks. We learn through exposition that Hesher was once in juvenile prison, but we're fascinated to hear that he hasn't had any other run ins with the law. Gordon-Levitt's "out of nowhere" antihero lacks any subtlety or insight that would otherwise make the viewer care about the film's central relationship. Most of the film revolves around the same recycled scenes, as Susser's attempts at emotional catharsis are mostly drowned out due to overkill. Even the climax is awkwardly staged, but appropriately fits in with the film's outrageous tone. It's a minor and slightly forgettable work, but there's something admirable about Susser's willingness to go full circle with an idea like this, not completely original, but oddly liberating.

Grade: 3/5