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Hesher is one of those strange films that for some god-awful reason, garnishes cult acclaim. Hesher (Joseph Gordon-Levitt) is drifter who likes rock n' roll, porn, and Natalie Portman. Somehow on top of all of this he manages to try and do well by everyone, despite the fact that he may use your washer and dryer with or without your permission.
This "life is rough" film is hard to understand; it can't decide if it wants to be a deep drama or a dark comedy. There was several moments that were hysterical in the film and several elements that made you wonder what exactly was going on in the mind of Hesher himself.
The film opens with a kid chasing after a red car , as if it is the only thing that has any meaning in his life. This kid is moving, if he gets stopped ,he finds away around the obstacle. He wants this car. Shortly hereafter we discover that this kid goes by the name of T.J.(David Brochu) and he is a very troubled little boy. However, the car is his nonetheless. We don't know how he came about owning a car at his young age or why it was wrecked in the first place.
T.J. also has a bully problem that he just passively deals with as if it were meant to be. This bully of his is mean and cruel; were talking throwing the kid across the room and then sitting on him and spitting in his face cruel.
It seems as if Hesher comes out of nowhere and suddenly tries to help T.J. and his family. This is helpful and it isn't at the same time. Hesher in many ways works like management, to solve the problem he must first observe it and then deal with it. There are times when he is helpful for T.J. and there are times where he is just as cruel as the above mentioned bully. However, Hesher is more helful when it comes to solving problems in the house or taking grandma Madeliene (Piper Laurie) out for a walk.
The character of Nicole (Natalie Portman) bugged me the most throughout the whole film. Her encounter with T.J. was at most helpful and at the same time counter-productive in the same light. T.J. was being bullied and she stopped the bully from doing more bully like things. Nicole then continues to build a relationship with T.J. and they even share a moment where they truly connect. Then Hesher comes along and does well what Hesher does make the situation worse. I could go off into the nitty gritty , but I think it's obvious what happens next.
The film's climax is truly surprising because, we know something bad has happened it is just a matter of what. It is surprising that lifestyles can change when you lose someone who truly matters the most to you. This is what happens here and it is crazy to think that it must happen again to balance things out in life.
Hesher's message is clear and well delivered in a clever metaphor about either getting wet or avoiding the rain altogether. However, as bad things are bound to happen in life the best we can do is to not get down about them. Hesher himself doesn't seem to get down about anything; in fact he even smokes some mary jane with grandma Madeliene.
There are some well acted scenes here, most notable the scene where Nicole(Natalie Portman) and T.J.(David Brochu) Connect. However, the point of all this is delivered way late in the film and lacks any real closure. My Recommendation is to check the forecast and carry an umbrella, Hesher is not worth your time.
2/10
