Epoch Times Blog

Writer/Director Johnathon Levine wowed crowds this weekend with his new film “The Wackness”, starring Ben Kingsley, Josh Peck, Framke Janssen, and Method Man. Newcomer, Josh Peck stars as Luke Shapiro, a drug dealing high-schooler who receives counseling from a middle-aged pot-smoking psychiatrist Dr. Squires (Ben Kingsley). Payment for these therapy sessions comes in the form of weed, which provides an initial bond between Squires and Shapiro that leads to their eventual friendship. Amidst Shapiro’s search to find himself, deal with his loneliness, and find love (ironically with Squire’s daughter) Shapiro ends up confiding in his drug consuming client/shrink, which leads Squires to depend right back on his trusted friend.

“The Wackness” is a story bound together with a musical collage of De La Soul, Notoriuis B.I.G., A Tribe Called Quest and several others (including Method Man who plays Luke’s large scale weed distributor), setting the stage for New York City in 1994. While giving a nostalgic tip of the hat to hip-hop of old, and a regular rhythm of laugh out loud comedic moment on screen, “The Wackness” is a raw reminder of the loneliness of humanity, as the theme is reflected across every all of the main characters. Yet interestingly enough the film invites us to experience this first hand. Unfortunately the film will probably not resonate with all age groups (mainly because of the excessive amount drug use and profanity, but under all of this is a film with a lot of heart. And there is no doubt you will hear more buzz about this film as the course of this year continues.