Movie Review
“Igby Goes Down” is a 2002 comedy-drama film written and directed by Burr Steers.It tells the tale of a rebellious, sarcastic, pot smoking seventeen year-old that is just trying to get through life as everything around him crumbles down. Kieran Culkin plays Igby Slocumb, the rich spoiled brat who transitions from military school escapee, to grungy apartment squatter, to punching bag for family members and friends, a lovestruck boy and finally the grieving heartbroken son.
You get a look into the childhood of Igby as you view the flashback of his father revealing his schizophrenia in an uncomfortable shower scene. Determined not to become like his father, Igby goes against everything he is being told. He disobeys every word out of his pill-popping mothers mouth and does it all his own way. Visiting his wealthy godfather, then sleeping with his godfather’s junkie mistress, falling for a girl that leaves him for his brother, going broke and selling drugs, then aiding his mother in her own suicide.
All this sums up his messed up life on the run in New York City, but at the same time teaching him reality and what really matters in life. He goes through the ups and downs that most teenagers experience, but much more extreme.
This movie is filled with familiar faces like Susan Sarandon, Ryan Phillipe, Claire Danes, Bill Pullman, Amanda Peet, and Jeff Goldblum.
Throughout this film, you feel a variety of things. The humor is subtle enough to keep the story somewhat serious, awkward moments are hard to watch, the surprises sneak up on you and the sadness is sometimes too real. You get the full movie experience
as its takes you on an emotional rollercoaster ride.
This somewhat unknown film had all the makings to become a great blockbuster and is an experience everyone should have.
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