Back in 2005, Keanu Reeves slyly delivered one of the pleasant and neglected performances of his profession for the dramedy Thumbsucker. In Mike Mills’ coming-of-age image, Reeves channels the earlier 20 years of his profession—in addition to his public persona—to wade within the waters of self-parody. Thumbsucker finds him within the function of Dr. Perry Lyman, a spacey New Age orthodontist who makes use of some untraditional philosophies to assist a teenage boy (Lou Taylor Pucci) overcome his thumb-sucking behavior.
Keanu Reeves is a kind of actors that’s so regularly been in memorable roles because the starting of his profession that it’s practically inconceivable to not be a fan of the man. By the time Thumbsucker got here round, he’d already made a family identify for himself, having proven up in miserable, existential teenage dramas (River’s Edge), dopey comedies (Bill & Ted’s Excellent Adventure), and high-caliber motion footage (Speed, The Matrix, the record goes on). Even greater than that, although, is the person himself: a lovable, humble, and sometimes endearingly eccentric determine who’s as charming to be careful of character as he’s whereas deep in a task. Thumbsucker takes benefit of this, giving Reeves a swing at a tongue-in-cheek bit that feels reflective and, after all, deeply Reevesian.
In ‘Thumbsucker,’ Keanu Reeves’ Role Parodies the Real-Life Actor
Reeves’ small-but-vital function in Thumbsucker is one which works on a number of ranges. For one, the character is lovable as hell. He’s soft-spoken, in contact along with his spirituality, and he typically takes to muttering philosophical musings. He competes in bicycle races and operating 6ks. He loves seeing his sufferers, and when he greets them, it sounds completely honest. “To what do I deserve this honor?” he says, adorably, to Justin (Pucci) when the boy unexpectedly exhibits up at his workplace. It sounds precisely like one thing you’d hear Reeves hear in a candid, off-the-cuff assembly with a fan.
On one other stage, although, Reeves’ look in Thumbsucker works so nicely due to how completely the function matches the actor. It’s like a swimsuit tailor-made only for him. Dr. Lyman appears like an alternate universe Reeves, one which, if this entire film star enterprise didn’t work out, you can discover in some orthodontics workplace in a Portland suburb. Thumbsucker, Mike Mills, and Reeves all know this. They’re acutely aware of the hanging parallels between the actor and the topic, they usually lean into the stereotypical picture Reeves had made for himself by way of the 90s and into the brand new millennium. All of the beforehand talked about traits of Dr. Lyman can primarily be stated of Reeves—commerce marathoning in for jiu jitsu, and also you’ve received it nailed.
Looking on reflection additionally lends authority to the function. Lyman drops pearls of knowledge all through the film in his typical laid again supply that’s 100% real-life Keanu Reeves. Near the tip of the movie, Lyman displays on a latest change of philosophy: “the trick…is living without an answer,” he says. “…I think,” he provides, with impeccable comedian timing. In latest years the web has turn into stuffed with clips of the beloved actor primarily doing the identical in interviews. Just watch him discuss to Stephen Colbert about what occurs after demise. Or to Drew Barrymore with reference to love. He’s considerate and well-spoken, however he’s self-aware, and he doesn’t take himself too severely.
Lyman spends his screentime doing unusual and eccentric issues. He talks of spirit animals, and helps Justin discover his throughout an impromptu hypnosis session. In an try to assist Justin cease his recurring thumbsucking, Lyman hypnotizes the boy into pondering his thumb tastes like Echinacea. The orthodontic appointments in Lyman’s workplace are soundtracked by overhead audio system taking part in dashing water sounds, flutes, and the type of ambient music you’d hear at an expensive spa or on a 3-hour meditation Youtube playlist. His receptionist refers to him on a casual, first identify foundation (“Perry is ready for you,” he tells Justin) in a means that remembers Keanu Reeves’ personal humility. It all works as a result of it makes for a lovable character, however it works even higher as a result of it exhibits one among trendy cinema’s most iconic performers having a blast poking enjoyable at himself.
Amongst a Star-Studded Cast, Keanu Reeves Is ‘Thumbsucker’s Best Asset
Perhaps Thumbscrews’ best flaw is the infrequency with which Keanu Reeves exhibits up. Like any of the best little indie sleeper hits, Thumbsucker has a stacked forged record of stars taking part in quirky elements: Tilda Swinton extracts a uncooked vulnerability from the function of Justin’s mom—”Audrey”—a daydreaming nurse with an obsession with a well-liked tv actor. Vincent D’Onofrio steps in as an emotionally-distant however well-intended father determine who insists on his youngsters calling him by his first identify as a result of the phrase dad makes him really feel previous. Even Vince Vaughan exhibits up as an all-business-no-fun coach of Justin’s debate workforce. It’s Reeves, although, that shines brightest, and by the point the credit roll, it is unlikely that you simply will not be wishing for extra Dr. Lyman.
For a movie centered round (and titled after) a teenage protagonist, numerous time is spent with the adults, who’re as essential to the story because the boy himself. Justin’s dad and mom mirror Justin’s use of thumbsucking as a coping mechanism by way of their very own units to cope with their feelings: Audrey by way of her perpetual fantasies of assembly her crush and Mike by way of his damaged goals of athleticism. Lyman, alternatively, is a kind of New Age sage that gives his cryptic knowledge to Justin whereas seemingly having his personal life found out. He shrugs off Justin’s behavior as one thing that is undeservedly taboo: it is merely a psychological substitute for the mammalian have to be breastfed throughout infancy. By the film’s finish, he finds that even he, to some extent, had all of it mistaken. He would not know who he was attempting to be, and that is okay.
Oddball films like Thumbsucker work finest when the dialogue is tight and the lead actors play characters that virtually leap off the display. This film is filled with them, however it’s Reeves—and Dr. Lyman—who’re the movie’s best asset. Watching Thumbsucker in a post-John Wick world, whereas Reeves resides the lavish lifetime of being a universally beloved determine, offers the film some additional attraction. Now that we have lots extra meme-able Keanu Reeves moments to comb by way of on-line, we are able to see that he was, and is, in on the joke, and he is fairly goddamn respectable for that.