Movie: Thumbsucker (D, COM)

Thumbsucker is a quiet li'l independent film with a big-name supporting cast (Tilda Swinton, Vincent D'Onofrio, Keanu Reeves, Vince Vaughn, Benjamin Bratt). These are the grown-ups rallying around Justin, a high-school senior who sucks his thumb to cope with the stresses of his wacky homelife and his own insecurities.

When a school counselor suggests Ritalin, Justin instantly becomes bold and outspoken and soon leads his debate team to the championship. He also loses everything that's unique about himself.

This is a tender coming-of-age story; we get to see Justin's first girlfriend along with his struggles to discover himself. I already mentioned the strong cast, each worth watching, and the main character, played by Lou Taylor Pucci, does an outstanding job with a sensitive character; his physical resemblance to Johnny Depp doesn't hurt, either.

This film also had some genuine laugh-out-loud moments involving his orthodontist, an unorthodox treatment for thumbsucking, and a bike race. Those scenes had me giggling for days.

Grade: A-