Hesher is a unique movie - definitely different from most others. It has an independent movie feel but features Joseph Gordon-Levitt in the title role and includes Natalie Portman and Rainn Wilson (Dwight Schrute in the US version of The Office). I've never seen Rainn Wilson in a serious movie role before but was pleasantly surprised by his very credible performance – I kept expecting Dwight to pop out!
The movie is about a teenage boy dealing with his mother's sudden death. His life, already in shambles, abruptly takes a turn for the worse when a head banging anarchist named Hesher explodes (literally) into his life. Basic plot summary is as follows:
- Paul (Rainn Wilson) and his son, TJ, live with Paul's mother. They are struggling to recover from TJ's mom's death. Paul is sleepwalking through life and TJ is understandably angry with the world.
- TJ goes to a new housing development that seems to be stalled mid-construction (there can be no shortage of these in the US at this point) and starts breaking windows to take out some frustration.
- Hesher (Gordon-Levitt) is squatting in the house that is the target of TJ's ire.
- Unfortunately for Hesher and TJ, the ruckus brings a security guard. His serenity broken, Hesher promises payback to TJ and throws some dynamite out of the broken window near the security guard's truck.
- In the disarray that follows, TJ escapes and Hesher gets in his van and heads off into the sunset.
- After school, TJ is beaten up in a parking lot by a bully. To be fair, the bully is somewhat upset by the artwork on his car - apparently he believes that TJ used his car as a canvas for his art. Grocery store clerk, Nicole (Natalie Portman), intervenes and saves TJ from serious injury, starting an unlikely relationship between the two.
- When TJ gets home, Hesher is inexplicably waiting and makes himself at home. He feels TJ owes him lodging. TJ's father apparently hasn't the energy to toss Hesher out and Hesher becomes a permanent houseguest.
- Thus begins the journey to healing, sort of...
This is not a traditional movie. If you wait for Hesher to evolve as a human being, you will be sorely disappointed. The sheer improbability of the story aside, it is an interesting dark comedy of sorts. The intertwining of odd characters allows for interesting conversations and situations. Another big plus is the accompanying soundtrack – lots of songs from Metallica to set the mood. I enjoyed it.
Life lesson learned from the movie: When you get a ride from an anarchist, always make alternate plans for the ride home. Anarchists are definitely not reliable.
I give the movie three stars out of five.
More movie information can be found on IMDB and you can always buy the movie on Amazon!!!
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