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Thumbsucker

  • 2005
  • R
  • 1h 36m
IMDb RATING
6.5/10
22K
YOUR RATING
Thumbsucker (2005)
Home Video Trailer from Sony Pictures Home Entertainment
Play trailer2:16
8 Videos
99+ Photos
Coming-of-AgeTeen ComedyTeen DramaComedyDrama

Justin throws himself and everyone around him into chaos when he attempts to break free from his addiction to his thumb.Justin throws himself and everyone around him into chaos when he attempts to break free from his addiction to his thumb.Justin throws himself and everyone around him into chaos when he attempts to break free from his addiction to his thumb.

  • Director
    • Mike Mills
  • Writers
    • Walter Kirn
    • Mike Mills
  • Stars
    • Lou Taylor Pucci
    • Tilda Swinton
    • Vincent D'Onofrio
  • See production info at IMDbPro
  • IMDb RATING
    6.5/10
    22K
    YOUR RATING
    • Director
      • Mike Mills
    • Writers
      • Walter Kirn
      • Mike Mills
    • Stars
      • Lou Taylor Pucci
      • Tilda Swinton
      • Vincent D'Onofrio
    • 100User reviews
    • 96Critic reviews
    • 69Metascore
  • See production info at IMDbPro
    • Awards
      • 5 wins & 5 nominations total

    Videos8

    Thumbsucker
    Trailer 2:16
    Thumbsucker
    Thumbsucker
    Trailer 2:10
    Thumbsucker
    Thumbsucker
    Trailer 2:10
    Thumbsucker
    Thumbsucker Scene: Nervous?
    Clip 1:27
    Thumbsucker Scene: Nervous?
    Thumbsucker Scene: It's Just A Bit Of Fun
    Clip 1:12
    Thumbsucker Scene: It's Just A Bit Of Fun
    Thumbsucker Scene: It's Hot Today
    Clip 1:42
    Thumbsucker Scene: It's Hot Today
    Thumbsucker Scene: Cleaning The Garage
    Clip 1:52
    Thumbsucker Scene: Cleaning The Garage

    Photos165

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    Top cast55

    Edit
    Lou Taylor Pucci
    Lou Taylor Pucci
    • Justin Cobb
    • (as Lou Pucci)
    Tilda Swinton
    Tilda Swinton
    • Audrey Cobb
    Vincent D'Onofrio
    Vincent D'Onofrio
    • Mike Cobb
    Keanu Reeves
    Keanu Reeves
    • Perry Lyman
    Ted Beckman
    • Stoner Guy
    Benjamin Bratt
    Benjamin Bratt
    • Matt Schramm
    Arvin V. Entena
    • Perry Lyman's Assistant
    Tyler Gannon
    • Stoner Chick
    Kelli Garner
    Kelli Garner
    • Rebecca
    Allen Go
    • Biology Teacher
    Dakota O'Hara
    Dakota O'Hara
    • Girl on Plane
    • (as Dakota Goldhor)
    Walter Kirn
    Walter Kirn
    • Debate Judge
    Kit Koenig
    Kit Koenig
    • Principal Mrs. Wood
    Sarah Lucht
    • English Teacher
    Eric Normington
    Eric Normington
    • Hotel Desk Clerk
    Nancy O'Dell
    Nancy O'Dell
    • Nancy O'Dell
    Lanette Prazeau
    • School Nurse
    Bob Stephenson
    Bob Stephenson
    • Debate Official
    • Director
      • Mike Mills
    • Writers
      • Walter Kirn
      • Mike Mills
    • All cast & crew
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

    User reviews100

    6.522.2K
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    Featured reviews

    8jotix100

    Not your typical teenager

    "Thumbsucker", one of the most original movies playing locally, deserves to be seen by a wider audience. Mike Mills, its director, has adapted Walter Kirn's novel with honesty and integrity, giving the viewer a picture of a young man and his family at a difficult time in their lives and how they relate and cope with the situation. This is no typical teenage coming of age as interpreted by Hollywood.

    The film is an intelligent account of Justin's life and what makes him act the way he does. His home life seems to be the root of all the problems and his addiction to suck his thumb is a way to escape reality because he finds comfort in doing so. Justin is clearly a teenager in turmoil because he doesn't fit in the large scheme of things.

    "Thumbsucker" makes a valid point about how easy it is to prescribe drugs for what seems to be afflicting Justin: Attention Deficit Disorder. In fact, what those pills are doing are creating a false security blanket for the young man, who awakens in time to realize the drug he is taking a form of "speed".

    The work by Lou Taylor Pucci in the film is amazing. As Justin he shows an intelligence and naturalness well beyond his years. Tilda Swinton and Vincent D'Onofrio are seen as the confused parents. Keanu Reeves and Vince Vaughn make excellent appearances in roles that are different to what they usually play.

    The film work because the good ensemble Mike Mills assembled for the movie.
    9cinna665

    A positive story of growing up

    I saw Thumbsucker yesterday at Helsinki Movie Festival and was really positively surprised. I was not expecting much from a teen movie, but this one really made its way to my heart.

    The story is about a 17-year-old Justin who has problems with his self confidence, and that causes him to suck his thumb. His tough guy father (Vincent D'Onofrio) of course does not like this, which makes it even worse. His mother (Tilda Swinton) lives in dreams and does not really seem to care what's going on in her family. His weirdo dentist (Keanu Reeves) uses even hypnosis to help him to get rid of his thumbsucking...

    The story is about growing up, and Lou Taylor Pucci as Justin delivers a brilliant job. But the main thing are the "sidekicks": Reeves the dentist and Benjamin Bratt as a totally weird drug addict actor and Vince Vaughn as Justin's teacher just do it, give some laughter to the otherwise serious story, and make this movie enjoyment.
    8ratbaggy

    Two thumbs up!

    "Thumbsucker" doesn't suck, at all! It's also not just another teen-angst flick. It is a funny, thoughtful, and enjoyable movie. I would give this two thumbs up! Although the movie revolves around Justin, a thoughtful, sensitive, teenager who happens to have a rather nasty habit of sucking his thumb, it also shows his relationship with his parents, brother, teachers, his peers and his dentist, who all undergo their own personal development during the course of the movie.

    Justin and his brother call their parents by their first names, and in the case of the Cobbs, this doesn't seem to increase or decrease the level of respect or obedience teenagers have for their parents. Justin and his mother Audrey seem to be alike - they both have crushes: he, for a girl in his debating class, and she, for an actor on daytime TV.

    "Thumbsucker" shows that teenagers with a lot of parental love and support can also end up feeling alienated anyway. The path to adulthood is often fraught with anguish, mostly self-inflicted. But sometimes, meeting a mean girl who'd break your heart in a second can do that too.

    The casting is excellent - I hadn't checked the cast list before watching it, and was pleasantly surprised to find so many known and good actors in it. Keanu Reaves was a surprise, and a hoot to watch. Tilda Swinton is one cool lady, and I will certainly be looking out for her other movies.
    10Bluesnfire401

    beautiful, charming, touching, excellent.

    this movie was absolutely beautiful in so many ways. as an adolescent Justin, the main character, struggles with trying to stop sucking his thumb, the film creatively explores issues of identity, self-worth, achievement, family dynamics and so many other elements of life that are difficult to articulate. The film is fun and funny, but at the same time cleverly portrays the hard parts of growing up and communicates a profound and moving message. i was fortunate enough to see this movie BEFORE it was released in theaters with a Q and A portion after the film, with the director, Mike Mills. he was every bit as charming and clever as his film and his personality could be clearly seen in the film's character. I'd recommend this movie to anyone who appreciates a good laugh, a good story, or a touching picture of what it means to be human.
    8leilapostgrad

    Austin Movie Show review

    I sucked my thumb as a child. But unlike Lou Taylor Pucci's character in this film, I had quit sucking my thumb long before high school. Justin is a senior in high school, he's shy, awkward, insecure, and his self-esteem is not helped by the fact that he's a 17 year-old thumbsucker. At its core, Thumbsucker is an adorable teenage comedy about addictions, bad habits, and the emotional crutches we reply on whenever we feel pain. Thanks to his hippy, new-age orthodontist (Keanu Reeves), Justin is hypnotized into thinking his thumb tastes horrible, so he quits. But the end of one addiction merely marks the beginning of the next, and Justin soon convinces himself that his ADHD medication will change his life. But why are we so consumed with changing? Is thumb-sucking really such a bad habit after all? It's healthier than smoking crack. Thumbsucker is pure joy from beginning to end.

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    Storyline

    Edit

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      Co-Writer and Director Mike Mills saw over one hundred actors for the role of Justin.
    • Goofs
      It is stated that Ritalin and cocaine have only three molecules different. Both are actually single molecules. Although similar in shape, there are several atoms difference.
    • Quotes

      [Justin see's Dr. Perry for the last time in his new office before leaving off to college]

      Justin Cobb: What happened?

      Dr. Perry Lyman: What do you mean?

      Justin Cobb: This place. It looks a little depressing.

      Dr. Perry Lyman: I don't know, I... I guess I stopped trying to be anything. I accepted myself and all my human disorder. You might wanna do the same. Do you remember when you were like, 13 or something, you were... You were always doing an impression of a newsman.

      Justin Cobb: [chuckles] I did?

      Dr. Perry Lyman: You were quite good.

      Justin Cobb: Sorry.

      Dr. Perry Lyman: If that's what you want to do, New York is the perfect place for you. Make the contacts, knock on doors.

      [Dr. Perry lights a cigarette]

      Dr. Perry Lyman: Get the right haircut, take voice lessons. Might work. Then again. You'll have to deal with a lot of fear.

      Justin Cobb: I just came here for a checkup.

      Dr. Perry Lyman: Really? Justin, I'm sorry if I contributed to any feelings of shame you may have about your thumb. I've been reading up on it. Medically, psychologically, there's nothing really wrong with thumb sucking.

      Justin Cobb: I don't think I can agree with that.

      Dr. Perry Lyman: No, really. Look. Justin... there was nothing wrong with you.

      Justin Cobb: It felt like everything was wrong with me.

      Dr. Perry Lyman: That's 'cause we all wanna be problemless. To fix ourselves. We look for some magic solution to make us all better, but none of us really know what we're doing. And why is that so bad? That's all we humans can do. Guess. Try. Hope. But, Justin, just pray you don't fool yourself into thinking you've got the answer. Because that's bullshit. The trick is living without an answer. I think.

      [both chuckle and laugh]

      Dr. Perry Lyman: [Dr. Perry chuckles and lights another cigarette] I think.

    • Crazy credits
      The end credits give special thanks for the support of this movie by many famous directors: Sofia and Roman Coppola, David Fincher, Spike Jonze and Ang Lee.
    • Connections
      Featured in 2006 Independent Spirit Awards (2006)
    • Soundtracks
      Spirit of Reiki
      Written by Shastro

      Performed by Shastro and Nadama

      Courtesy of Malimba Records

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    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • October 7, 2005 (United States)
    • Country of origin
      • United States
    • Official site
      • Sony Pictures Classics (United States)
    • Language
      • English
    • Also known as
      • Погана звичка
    • Filming locations
      • Tualatin High School - 22300 SW Boones Ferry Road, Tualatin, Oregon, USA
    • Production companies
      • Bob Yari Productions
      • This Is That Productions
      • Cinema-Go-Go
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Box office

    Edit
    • Budget
      • $4,000,000 (estimated)
    • Gross US & Canada
      • $1,328,679
    • Opening weekend US & Canada
      • $85,327
      • Sep 18, 2005
    • Gross worldwide
      • $2,138,742
    See detailed box office info on IMDbPro

    Tech specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      1 hour 36 minutes
    • Color
      • Color
    • Sound mix
      • Dolby Digital
    • Aspect ratio
      • 2.35 : 1

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