Greetings again from the darkness. Typically I enjoy a bit of risk from a writer and director. However, in this case, the role of drugs ... both using and selling, just makes up too much of the story. Because of this, the characters are impossible to root for and we really don't care much if they get it together or not.
What saves this one at all are the marvelous performances by a wild-eyed Ben Kingsley, soft-spoken Josh Peck and a career changing turn by Olivia Thirlby (who was so perky in "Juno"). Toss in a spaced out Mary Kate Olsen, lonely girl Jane Adams as Elinor, and nice support from Method Man and Aaron Yoo and the cast makes this watchable.
Definitely looking forward to more from Thirlby and Peck, but here's hoping writer/director Jonathan Levine finds a new career. The soundtrack is a bit overbearing, but at least the songs are cool.
What saves this one at all are the marvelous performances by a wild-eyed Ben Kingsley, soft-spoken Josh Peck and a career changing turn by Olivia Thirlby (who was so perky in "Juno"). Toss in a spaced out Mary Kate Olsen, lonely girl Jane Adams as Elinor, and nice support from Method Man and Aaron Yoo and the cast makes this watchable.
Definitely looking forward to more from Thirlby and Peck, but here's hoping writer/director Jonathan Levine finds a new career. The soundtrack is a bit overbearing, but at least the songs are cool.