Good story, Not enough for a whole film

Crappy film

It's easily one of the freshest, sharpest and most enjoyable films of this year.

The film never slows down or bores, plunging from one harrowing sequence to the next.

Like other reviewers, I'm a HUGE JG-L fan. And Natalie Portman, of course. The whole cast does a great job, so my intense dislike of this movie has nothing to do with them.I found this movie to be ugly, ridiculous, and pointless. And if there's anything comedic about it, I've apparently had a brain aneurysm because I'm totally missing that part.The premise of "Hesher" is ludicrous as presented. Sure, it can be done - it has been done. "Down and Out in Beverly Hills', anyone? "What About Bob?" Remember? Taking a farcical approach to the "stranger upends family" trope is fine when it's a comedy. But a big part of the formula is that the stranger has to have at least a FEW redeeming qualities. If the stranger is a sociopathic character like Hesher, then it seems like the film would fit more naturally into a drama/horror genre'. Because I've got to tell you - I didn't crack a smile during this movie. Not ONCE.Every character is pathetic or repulsive. Every action taken is ugly and violent. The setting is ugly and DEPRESSING (then again, I've never liked SoCal.) And the seminal figure - dead mom - is only known by one flashback scene, supposedly the day she was killed in a car accident. She is seen as a warm, supportive mother and wife. But even that heartwarming vision doesn't comport with the rest of the movie. We're supposed to believe in a two-month span that Dad has grown a massively bushy beard, become a pill-popper, and that he and the kid moved into sick, dotty grandma's trashy and cramped house? We're supposed to think that TJ was a relatively normal kid prior to mom's death, then suddenly becomes the victim of a pathologically vicious bully - and no adult knows or cares about it? (I am not counting Hesher because I'm not sure he does count as an adult.) TJ has access to wads of cash via ATM (why???) and chooses to try and buy the wrecked car - even though he knows he can't - instead of offering check-out girl more than $2 when she can't even pay her RENT? Seriously, whaaa? Not everything in a movie has to make sense, but in "Thresher", NOTHING makes sense. The "message" it seems the audience is supposed to take away can be had in 25 other, much better movies.Sorry, JG-L, most of your projects are fantastic. But this one is a swing and a miss!

Hesher is one of the best movies I've seen. Interesting story and amazing performance by Joseph Gordon-Levit, in my opinion one of his best. This is one of the movies that when I finished it, I sat for a while in my couch just thinking about it and trying to figure it out. The thing I love most about it is this sort of chemistry between T.J.(Devin Brochu) and Nicole(Natalie Portman). It is weird cause he's a kid but she's a grown up, but you don't find it weird. Or at least I didn't. It was just like in all the "boy meets girl" movies. And I loved the ending when they all go out for a walk with T.J.'s grandma. So overall, a great movie and a must-see for everyone.

There is a reunion of a great cast, the story is interesting and moving but the dynamic factor of Hesher is a bit a failure: his vulgarity, his wild attitude can be funny at start but after a while, the character is too much and he destroys the touch of reality of the movie.To extend my introduction, the family has fabulous people: it was good to meet again the great actor i spot by watching "Dark Angel" (see my review of his appearance in episode 1.17). There's something about him that says he has talent and his portrayal of a broken father is amazing. His mother is the old bxxch of "Twin Peaks" who shows there that she can have a heart also. The unknown boy is good: he is like a young Luke Skywalker who just stumble in and endless nightmare. His only light comes from his connection with Nathalie and the moment they share together are intense. On the other hand, "Robin" can do all the trash he wants, he stays at the end the good guy he is, so his Hesher isn't really convincing.The story is really interesting: Under the happy sun of California, life can be hard. It's good to see an American movie that speaks truth and that involves an average family. To make a kid the hero of a drama is original as at this age, it's just bang after bang as we can fight back. The only thing we need is parental love and here this love is just burning as his real parents are missing. If Hesher is too dangerous to stay, Natalie is a real angel. She has just a knack for these characters as she really embodies kindness, sweetness, empathy. As everyone was at the bottom of the pit and finally seem to stand up, it would be interesting to follow their path again and discover what happen to them. So, Nat, if you read this review, think about it !

Unforgivably irresponsible and altogether inappropriate, Hesher is a young male's rebel fantasy. But it's not quite typical. Or entirely forgettable. The story unfolded as a series of non-sensical disappointments, but I respect this movie for two reasons. I have to admit it did keep me guessing, and ultimately demonstrated some comedic genius - at the end - even though it was nauseatingly egotistical.While I didn't appreciate the infinitely crass script, the casting and acting were superb. The whole movie was just so emulsified in obscene discourtesy, the little twist at the end was by no means worth it. BUT I still have to recommend it if you like dark comedy and adolescent male vulgarity.I'd still love to read what's so great about it...