THE WACKNESS

Year: 2008
USA: Sony Pictures Classics
UK: Revolver Entertainment
Cast: Ben Kingsley, Josh Peck, Famke Janssen, Olivia Thirlby, Mary-Kate Olsen, Method Man, Jane Adams, Aaron Yoo, Talia Balsam, David Wohl, Bob Dishy, Joanna Merlin, Shannon Briggs, Kiah Fredericks, Roy Milton Davis, Sean Dillon
Director: Jonathan Levine
Country: USA
USA: 95 mins
USA Rated: R for pervasive drug use, language and some sexuality
UK Certificate: tbc
USA Release Date: 3 July 2008 (Limited Release - New York and Los Angeles))
UK Release Date: 29 August 2008


Synopsis

Summer 1994 sees newly elected mayor, Rudolf Giuliani, taking up office in New York City. His anti fun initiatives against noisy portables, radio, graffiti and public drunkenness have yet to be fully implemented and the streets reverberate to hip hop and the air is infused with the aroma of marijuana.

Much of this is passing by teenage pot dealer Luke Shapiro (Josh Peck), who is going through the adolescent throws of issues with his parents, no friends and total lack of confidence with girls. He is also seeing a drug addicted shrink, Dr Squires (Ben Kingsley) who he trades weed with for his therapy sessions.

Meanwhile Dr Squires is losing his wife, Kristin (Famke Janssen) and Josh's love life is non existent. Thus they form an unlikely friendship based on a mutual need of getting laid. The two set off on a crawl around New York and they meet up with several of Luke's 'business associates'.

But this summer will be a memorable one for Luke who falls for Dr Squires' gorgeous stepdaughter Stephanie (Olivia Thirlby) and is stunned when she returns his affections. While Luke grows in confidence from his relationship with Stephanie, it is Luke who comes to Dr Squires' aid as he breaks down and his life crashes down on him.