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The Wackness

Play trailer Poster for The Wackness R 2008 1h 50m Comedy Drama Play Trailer Watchlist
Watchlist Tomatometer Popcornmeter
70% Tomatometer 134 Reviews 72% Popcornmeter 25,000+ Ratings
It's summer in New York City, the year is 1994, and teenage marijuana dealer Luke Shapiro (Josh Peck) is trading dime bags for sessions with his therapist, Dr. Squires (Ben Kingsley). Luke has girl troubles and self-esteem issues, but the doctor has problems of his own -- namely, his deteriorating marriage and midlife crisis. Together, the mismatched pair launch across the metropolis on an odyssey full of girls (Olivia Thirlby, Mary-Kate Olsen), hip-hop and cannabis smoke.
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The Wackness

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Critics Consensus

Sympathetic characters and a clever script help The Wackness overcome a familiar plot to make for a charming coming-of-age comedy.

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Critics Reviews

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David Stratton The Australian Nov 19, 2008
3.5/5
If nothing else, it's probably worth seeing for the kissing scene between Kingsley and Mary-Kate Olsen. Go to Full Review Jim Schembri The Age (Australia) Nov 14, 2008
2/5
It muddles through on its period infatuation and on Kingsley's dope-loving turn as a doctor constantly on the verge of another hit. Go to Full Review Derek Malcolm London Evening Standard Aug 29, 2008
3/5
The Wackness, while no masterpiece, is the kind of film that doesn't come to much but is watchable as it saunters along with a provoking sense of meaningful pessimism. The performances are really the thing - Levine hasn't managed anything better. Go to Full Review Leigh Paatsch Herald Sun (Australia) Sep 11, 2020
3.5/5
The film's subtle shifts in tone and intent are handled brilliantly by Josh Peck, who plays a troubled teen drug dealer with the damaged bravado and raw honesty of a young De Niro. Go to Full Review David Lamble Bay Area Reporter Jun 1, 2020
Jonathan Levine's Sundance hit comedy bonds a drug-dealing teen with an eccentric psychiatrist in a daffy search through Rudyland. Go to Full Review Debbie Lynn Elias Behind The Lens Nov 6, 2019
What can I say? THE WACKNESS is the most WACKTASTIC, FAN -*$&%ING-TASTIC film of the year! Go to Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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Gareth V @geewah Oct 15, 2026 It leans a little hard on nostalgia and its script has it's flaws, but it's heart is in the right place and it's "summer in the city atmosphere" is hard to resist. See more Paolo M @RT44149452 Sep 11, 2026 This is one of my fav movies. Is amazing and would just see it over and over. See more thiago s @Thiagostone Oct 3, 2025 Filme fraco, o roteiro é fraco, as cenas são fracas, a história é fraca, o elenco é fraco, e ninguém ajuda a melhorar o filme, os personagens são fracos, e o filme deveria ter cenas bem melhores e relevantes, para fazer o filme ser bom See more Glen M @RT78207714 Dec 4, 2022 very nostalgic look back well made well acted See more prawnda s @RT72497680 Feb 27, 2022 pretty good, but the sex scenes are numerous, long, and excessively pornographic. i'm sure plenty of people would love to watch things like that, but it doesn't fit with the rest of the quality portions of the story. See more Feb 22, 2022 Really enjoying re-watching the movie See more Read all reviews
The Wackness

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Cast & Crew

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Jonathan Levine

Director

Ben Kingsley

Dr. Squires

Josh Peck

Luke Shapiro

Famke Janssen

Kristin Squires

Olivia Thirlby

Stephanie

Mary-Kate Olsen

Union

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The Wackness

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Movie Info

Synopsis It's summer in New York City, the year is 1994, and teenage marijuana dealer Luke Shapiro (Josh Peck) is trading dime bags for sessions with his therapist, Dr. Squires (Ben Kingsley). Luke has girl troubles and self-esteem issues, but the doctor has problems of his own -- namely, his deteriorating marriage and midlife crisis. Together, the mismatched pair launch across the metropolis on an odyssey full of girls (Olivia Thirlby, Mary-Kate Olsen), hip-hop and cannabis smoke.
Director
Jonathan Levine
Producer
Keith Calder, Felipe Marino, Joe Neurauter
Screenwriter
Jonathan Levine
Distributor
Sony Pictures Classics
Production Co
Shapiro Levine Productions, Occupant Films
Rating
R (Pervasive Drug Use|Language|Some Sexuality)
Genre
Comedy, Drama
Original Language
English
Release Date (Theaters)
Jul 3, 2008, Limited
Release Date (Streaming)
Feb 20, 2009
Box Office (Gross USA)
$2.1M
Runtime
1h 50m
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