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Hesher
2010 106 min Taiwan, United States of America R 18+
★6.6
Drama
Director: Spencer Susser
Trailers
Description
A young boy has lost his mother and is losing touch with his father and the world around him. Then he meets Hesher who manages to make his life even more chaotic.
Budget:
$7M
US Gross:
$382,946
Worldwide:
$449,702
Starring
Joseph Gordon-Levitt
Actor
Devin Brochu
Actor
Natalie Portman
Actor
Awards
Sundance Film Festival 2010
— Grand Jury Prize (Drama)
Key opinion
Hesher is a polarizing low-budget dramedy that oscillates between a character study of familial grief and a gritty, anarchic rebellion film. While many viewers find the central performance and the film's philosophical stance on moving past loss deeply moving, others criticize its inconsistent tone and the lack of explanation surrounding the titular character's origins.
| Acting | Joseph Gordon-Levitt's charismatic and unpredictable portrayal of Hesher serves as the film's anchor, even when the character's erratic actions lack logical consistency. | |
| Theme | The film succeeds as a poignant exploration of how the surviving family members struggle to communicate and process their shared grief. | |
| Screenplay | The narrative balance between dark, absurd comedy and serious family drama is divisive; some find the blend refreshing, while others believe the genres clash and undermine the film’s logic. | |
| Originality | The character of Hesher himself is a point of contention: supporters view him as a meaningful catalyst for change, while detractors see him as an underdeveloped, pretentious, or senseless nuisance. |