This article first appeared in the St. Louis Beacon: July 31, 2008- There have been wacky psychiatrists in movies before, but Ben Kingsley's role in "The Wackness" definitely takes the cake. His Dr. Jeffrey Squires, a major druggie, gives counsel to young Luke Schapiro (Josh Peck) in exchange for marijuana. The story follows their relationship during the pivotal summer before Josh goes off to his "safety school" for college.
The biggest reason to see this movie is Kingsley's performance. The man can do anything: "Gandhi," "House of Sand and Fog" and "Sexy Beast" come to mind. The psychiatrist he plays breaks no end of medical ethics, yet Kingsley manages to make him close to a sympathetic character. That some good comes out of his terrible behavior is no excuse, of course, but that's the argument here.
It's a tough summer in hot, congested New York City, where it seems everyone is smoking one thing or another. Josh earns money by selling pot and other drugs out of an ice-cream truck. Incredibly, the only time anyone gets arrested is when Josh and Dr. Squires smoke a joint on the street. Josh's parents can't pay much attention to him because of an ongoing marital and financial meltdown. Squires, too, is unhappily married with a beautiful stepdaughter whom Josh covets. Squires forbids the relationship, making it predictably forbidden fruit.
The action takes place in 1994 in New York City and Fire Island on Long Island. This very smart movie makes the most of its settings with some brilliant cinematic moves and solid acting. There are lots of laughs and, in the midst of "wackness," some real wisdom.
Susan Waugh is a freelance writer.