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The Tampa Tribune

Published: July 31, 2008

THE WACKNESS *½

Like "Definitely, Maybe" from earlier this year, the coming-of-age dramedy "The Wackness" asks us to dig deep within our nostalgia wells and reminisce about the mid-1990s.

Summer of 1994, to be exact. That's when writer-director Jonathan Levine graduated from high school, like his film's sullen hero, Luke Shapiro (Josh Peck), who deals pot from an Italian ices cart in the New York City heat.

The setting means we're in store for plenty of rap (Notorious B.I.G., Tribe Called Quest), references to Kurt Cobain and "Forrest Gump," Giuliani-bashing and privileged white kids liberally peppering their speech with words like "mad" and "dope."

It all feels self-conscious, and it makes Luke feel like an annoying type, even though Peck, a long way from the Nickelodeon sitcom "Drake & Josh," shows some believable glimmers of vulnerability beneath the bravado.

In the months before leaving for college, Luke embarks on an unlikely friendship with his aging-hippie shrink, Dr. Squires (Ben Kingsley with stringy hair and a wavering accent). At the same time, he makes the mistake of falling for the doctor's sexually precocious stepdaughter, Stephanie (Olivia Thirlby, Ellen Page's wisecracking sidekick in "Juno"). She's the one who provides the film's title: Since she's perpetually blithe and sunny, she insists she always sees the "dopeness" in things, while low-key Luke always sees the "wackness." Deep, huh?

Levine depicts all of this through de rigueur film-school tricks such as sped-up and slo-mo sequences and photos that come to life. And because his storytelling techniques - and the story itself - are so familiar, it's hard to shake the nagging sensation that Levine has nothing new to say.

We have seen this movie so many times before - "Igby Goes Down," "Running With Scissors," etc. - with its disaffected young people and the adults who behave in even more selfish, adolescent fashion.

R (pervasive drug use, profanity and some sexuality); 101 minutes

Christy Lemire,

The Associated Press

SWING VOTE **

"Swing Vote" is guilty of being the same thing that so many political candidates accuse each other of being: a flip-flopper.

The story of a presidential election that hinges on the vote of one guy does have its moments of hilarity. It works best when the two contenders are one-upping each other, contradicting themselves and their parties in saying whatever it takes to win over this one average Joe. Mixed signals make the Republican proclaim his rainbow flag-waving support for gay marriage; meanwhile, the Democrat finds himself opposing abortion in a truly twisted TV ad.

But by the end, it turns painfully serious - and it takes itself too seriously - with swelling music and heavy-handed preaching to drive home some pretty obvious points.

Kevin Costner produces and stars as Bud Johnson, a scruffy single dad who just got fired and is too drunk to remember to vote. His daughter, Molly (the tremendously poised Madeline Carroll), is wise beyond her years and keeps things functioning at the family trailer in Texico, N.M. It's "Paper Moon" all over again - or at least it's trying to be.

Molly, 12, also tries to cast her father's vote for president, but because of a machine malfunction, it doesn't count. With a nod to Florida in 2000, the election is so tight, Bud's vote becomes the one that will decide the presidency. This turns him into an instant celebrity - and sets up some amusing satire of the insatiable 24-hour news cycle.

Kelsey Grammer co-stars as the Republican incumbent, with Stanley Tucci as the slick mastermind behind his campaign. Meanwhile, Dennis Hopper is an inspired choice to play the Democratic challenger, with Nathan Lane as his campaign manager, a guy who's desperate to win after a career of losing.

Costner is essentially the same guy he has made a career of playing. He's a rumpled, selfish, washed-up former athlete, but you know a kind heart will emerge eventually.

PG-13 (profanity); 120 minutes.

Christy Lemire,

The Associated Press

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