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HESHER (2010)
Directed by Spencer Susser
Starring Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Devin Brochu & Natalie Portman



Warning: Very minor spoilers
Two months after the death of his wife in a car accident, depressed, pill-popping father Paul (Rainn Wilson) is living with his son, T.J. (Devin Brochu), in his mother (Piper Laurie)’s house. Their lives are turned even further upside-down with the unexpected and unwanted arrival of pyromaniacal metal head Hesher (Joseph Gordon-Levitt).

Hesher is everything I want indie films to be. Equal parts funny, melancholy and dramatic, it serves up a challenging and thought-provoking experience, whilst often throwing in moments of absolute hilarity. It is a fantastic mix of comedy and drama. Above all though it is edgy and takes full advantage of being free from the censorship of a big budget and a big studio. Like similar indie productions, it is aimed at a specific audience and, to that group of people, is all the better for it.

I feel like a decent chunk of my review should be dedicated to Gordon-Levitt’s performance. This is his best showing since 500 Days of Summer; highlighting his comedic and dramatic abilities with a role chock-full of humour (a great combination of in-your-face, “Apatow-style” stuff and subtle nuances) and edgy, often meaningful and emotional moments, carried off with vigour and believability. Gordon-Levitt is at his best when the comedy is understated; when he plays it totally straight, as if moving into a stranger’s house without their knowledge is the most regular thing in the world. The closest comparison would be Rainn Wilson in Super or The Office.

Wilson also appears in Hesher, but not in any capacity most people, including myself, would be used to. He drives the dramatic elements of the film with a performance intentionally and effectually devoid of comedy. His portrayal of the depressed widower is surprisingly good, a role I didn’t think he could pull off having seen a lot of his filmography. Happily, I was proven wrong: it seems his acting chops are not limited to comedic roles. Natalie Portman brings a typical charm to a role similar to her turn in Garden State, and rounding off the main cast is young Devin Brochu, whose mature performance compliments both Wilson and Gordon-Levitt very well indeed.

And despite its dark and darkly comedic tone it retains its indie charm. It feels low budget. When you’re thrust into the shoes of a helpless T.J. watching Hesher set fire to his bullies’ car, knowing he’ll later pay for his unwanted acquaintances’ actions, it feels real not only on an intimate emotional level but also on a physical one. When we see the vehicle go up in flames, we know it’s really going up in flames; it looks real and the audience is not forced to suspend their disbelief watching something they know was created on a computer.

There are many people this movie is not for. Offended by rape jokes, blaspheming children or pot-smoking grandmothers? Don’t bother. Hesher is deeply wrong on many levels. But it also has a message, one that’s poignant and relevant if you look past its brazen exterior. If you’re a part of its niche audience, then it comes highly recommended.
Verdict: