TEXT & PHOTOS: NANCY SMITH. MAY 20, 2011
“SOMETIMES LIFE GIVES YOU THE FINGER / AND SOMETIMES IT GIVES YOU . . . HESHER”
the real HESH – at the ANGELIKA FILM CENTER – last FRI MAY 13th, 2011 – the first day of the film’s commercial screening in NYC . . .
HESH aka HASH HALPER – the film’s off-the-wall HESHER, played so brilliantly by JOSEPH GORDON-LEVITT. and he is hot. ok. violent and out of control too, what else is new . . . is a take-off on the real-life Hesh. outlaw. underwear, shirtless and all. somehow – just there. making the dots scramble, non-conformist. karmic ? moving through people and places with an unworldly wind, and seemingly not a care in the world – behind his back.
yep, this is the character . . . that launched a movie.
the character . . . behind the character.
He brought a small posse to the screening. although obviously the filmmakers had had some kind of relationship with him, Hesh, and certainly none of his friends had seen the flick . . . before, so nobody really knew what kind of a ride – they were in for. but the way Hesh showed up – was kinda auspicious, no ?
First off, before the flick even started the entrance was kinda grand. with the security guard inquiring of us – as to whether that was – the HESHER of the movie ? hell, yes !!
Then, when we got into the small multi-plex cinema, there were only two completely empty rows left – in the back which would enable Hesh and all his pals – to sit together . . . except for one nice straight-looking ultra conservative middle-aged businessman-type guy sitting smack dab in the middle of the last row of empty seats. what to do ? no problemo. Hesh, the real Hesh – just, rather imperiously told the guy, in no uncertain terms to scram.
“Hey dude – this is my movie !! You gotta move so me and my friends can watch it together. YO. I’m not joking dude, this is my movie. . .” After a few seconds of thinking it over – and probably for the better. the guy actually got up and moved. I’m not sure how I would have re-acted in the same circumstance, but anyways. the lights went down and the opening trailers went up . . . and, then what a shock – as ‘HESHER’ unspooled. I guess we all thought it would be one big hoot. a real laugh-fest. and in some ways it was . . . at first.
the first few times Joseph Gordon-Levitt hit the celluloid and popped up as the on-screen Hesher – we all went crazy. screaming and clapping with delight – damn !! he was HESH !! but then as the story progressed, and things got darker and more stuff was at stake – than we could have possibly imagined – the power of movie-making, dudes. the real-life peanut gallery grew just as silent and engrossed as the rest of the audience. no doubt about it, that was one shocking ride. it took you up and didn’t put you back down, for one moment. wow. how much of this was Hesh, and how much of this was movie magic ?
as we stumbled out, numb and in total silence – It was plain to see that the movie had hit home in ways hard to explain, to each one of us, in its own way, but in particular to the star attraction. Hesh looked to be in shock. shock and awe. First he said, and we all agreed in complete unison – wow, we didn’t think it would ever – be that good. damn. Then I asked Hesh, well did it trouble him ? I’m thinking bout the violence. but that seemed to go right over his head. He just replied, “well, its true once a friend of mine’s had someone die in their family, and I moved in for two years” . . . but, he continued . . the worst thing about the whole movie – was how it had stripped him of his anonymity !! Already, he complained, kids were waving to him – in the street !!
JOSEPH GORDON-LEVEITT as HESHER . . .
image/courtesy: HESHER – THE MOVIE
one of my very fave parts of the movie, apart from being captivated by the on-screen HESHER. was that primitive black line, like a marker. stick-man tattoo on his chest- blowing his brains out !! a metaphor – for these days – of challenged creativity and spirituality. dead-endness – if I ever did see one. In his rave review, ‘Antihero to the rescue’ – KYLE SMITH of the NEW YORK POST last week, spoke of: “Hesher, violent of hair, black of jeans and sporting a large middle finger tattoo on his back …” – but it was the front tattoo of the chalk-like stick-man blowing his brains out – at point zero – that got to me !!
p.s. did you catch how bad KYLE SMITH trashed “YAWNY DEPP” – aka – ‘Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides” in the paper today ? ha. calls it “barely see-worthy” !! yep, our boy HESHER beats out Johnny Depp, this time around.
flamin’ outsider in his beat-up van – takes down the million dollar blockbuster – with its worn-out ways, hands down.
bye the way, I asked. the real Hesh – has no tattoos.
LOST.
but come to think of it, I did just come across some sidewalk chalk scribbles recently, that caught my attention.
looking back . . .
WHITE BOY RULES WORLD . . . . ?
wow. they do remind me of that ‘chalk-like’ stick-man tattoo . . . blowin’ out his brains, that the celluloid Hesher sports.
it was the night of the KARA WALKER opening at LEHMANN MAUPIN on the Lower East Side. April 21, 2011.
and hey, coincidence or what. Hesh, the real Hesh was there, too.
speak of the devil.
Flash forward to this past Sunday. Sunday May 15, 2011.
2 whole days after we had seen the movie – as I rolled into Williamsburg to do some business – who be calling my name out on the busy hub of Bedford St. – but Hesh, the real-life Hesh and his pal, TJ. hanging out a bar window, natch.
(I hate to ask, but . . . the real TJ ? not, I think . . . )
anyways, that’s how the real life Hesh manifests. in real time. movin’ and groovin’ to a secret beat. mystical. way beyond the simple hours as they peel off the clock face.
anyways, like I said. I had had time, 2 whole days, to think about it . . . and so since the opportunity presented itself, so beautifully, as if by magic. I asked Hesh outright what I was dying, burning ? to ask him right after the movie but didn’t quite have the words . . . having had my own buttons pushed by the film, and yeah. I was rendered immediately speechless afterwards too, just like the rest of the crew.
so catching the momento – I really tried to a nail Hesh on the violence in the film that bears his name. bears witness to him. Answer, Hesh. Was he shocked by the violent bent in the movie ?
“No”, he said. “My friends know I have violence inside me – but I manage to keep it in check.”
and there ya go, outta the mouths of the ‘marked’ ones, the ones that jump the grid, and spin the grind !! of everyday life – human truth. in a nutshell. go figure !!
ALL PHOTOS: NANCY SMITH – EXCEPT WHERE OTHERWISE – NOTED.
see: HESHER THE MOVIE/THE OFFICIAL WEBSITE
~WILL THE REAL HESH – PLEASE STAND UP . . . NEW PIX !! |
Posted in Movie Reviews, The Bomb | By Nancy Smith | May 20th, 2011, 11:05pm
HESHER – DIRECTED BY SPENCER SUSSMAN
REVIEWED BY NANCY SMITH. MAY 18, 2011
or: as the underground art world likes to say . . . . HESH, YES !!
‘HESHER’ – A FILM BY SPENCER SUSSER – PRODUCED BY NATALIE PORTMAN – WRITTEN BY SPENCER SUSSER & DAVID MICHOD – OPENED THIS PAST FRI – MAY 13, 2011, and, hell yes . . . it has a real shot of being to 2011 – what ‘LITTLE MISS SUNSHINE’ – was to 2006: the sleeper hit of the year – all the way to the academy awards !!
ok. it’s a little bit darker, and takes you to places off the chart – but hey – that’s what it’s all about. it hits home and presses your buttons, way before you realize – you’re silent and watching . . . and, not so laughing out loud, anymore. A brilliant family portrait that hits all age groups, and spares no one. it’s one big ride !! now, that’s what I call – entertainment.
ok. there’s some differences – HESHER rides around in a BLACK VAN !!
‘LITTLE MISS SUNSHINE’ scored 2 ACADEMY AWARDS:
ALAN ARKIN for BEST ACTOR in a SUPPORTING ROLE, and BEST WRITING ORIGINAL SCREENPLAY – to MICHAEL ARNDT !!
it also scored a (huge) nomination for BEST MOTION PICTURE (no joke !!), and ABIGAL BRESLIN, as the young girl who is at the center of the flick’s narrative – was nominated for BEST SUPPORTING ACTRESS !! – her first time out.
artlovers’ film contributor, JAN ALBERT wrote of ‘LITTLE MISS SUNSHINE ‘ in her BEST of 2006:
“quirky, beautifully cast, and laugh out loud funny . . . not to oversell this small joy but it’s a great ride.”
see: ‘LITTLE MISS SUNSHINE’ – OFFICIAL WEBSITE
‘HESHER’ – has RAIIN WILSON, (THE OFFICE !!), JOSEPH GORDON-LEVITT as HESHER (YES !! WAY, SUPER SUPER YES !!) and DEVIN BROCHU as TJ – the bullied bereft kid (YES YES & more YES !! Abigail move over) – sitting around the family dining room table, scarfing up the food – and the life !!
say what ?
quirky, beautifully cast and (in the beginning, cause ‘HESHER’ is a thrill ride – as in: no slouch !!) laugh out loud funny . . .
that goes way over the line and then some . . .
‘HESHER’ – to use Jan’s ‘LITTLE MISS SUNSHINE’ words, is quite simply . . . “not to oversell this small joy but it’s a great ride.”
RAIIN WILSON in particular comes in for some good words, in the ‘Sunshine’ comparison. he plays his role so convincingly – and so – on the low down, baby. he beats out Steve Carell, hands down.
NATALIE PORTMAN – in ‘HESHER’ . . . one of her best performances, ever !!
if you begin to think ‘HESHER’ goes too far – in the unexpected department. just think on the last time you opened up a conversation with a complete stranger – to find a beautiful loser !!
and like ‘LITTLE MISS SUNSHINE’ – this first feature by DIRECTOR SPENCER SUSSER, (NATALIE PORTMAN has a producer credit on the film’s website) – has an ace story line, that just never stops. a wicked witty take on the casual world we inhabit, as we all try to survive. . . and dream. not to mention an intimate portrait on the generational dance . . . that shines a sweet light on the darker side of the family dinner table.
not to forget knock-down production values. ace acting – the whole ensemble is amazing – it’s like watching a play. ace dialog. ace sets, ace cinematography. and ace (subtle as hell) sound effects & sound track.
instead of ALAN ARKIN as the outrageous grandpa, we get PIPER LAURIE as the sweet but goofy, clueless. not long for this world, and soon to pop-off grandma. if she ain’t dishing the potatoes, she’s sharing the bong !!
RICHARD BRODY reviewed ‘HESHER’ in the NEW YORKER, last week too . . .
‘HESHER’ . . . stars JOSEPH GORDON-LEVITT as the burn-out of the tile, an unemployed, unhinged, uninhibited heavy-metal stoner who barges into the life of a bullied teen-ager (DEVON BROCHU) and violently imposes himself on the kid’s grief-shattered household . . .
In exchange for bed, board, and complete, uncritical, and unquestioning indulgence HESHER offers meaningful life lessons.
There’s also an awkward bedraggled supermarket cashier (NATALIE PORTMAN) who adds to the film’s gallery of run-down and used-up people in need of just the kind of jolt that a foulmouthed, undisciplined, impulsive pyromaniac with a heart of gold, can provide.”
yeah bro, it’s a rainy day. take a web ride & check out: ‘HESHER’ – THE OFFICIAL WEBSITE !!
but just know – it ain’t got nothing – on the movie.
ANGELIKA – here we come !!
ALL PHOTOS: COURTESY/THE OFFICIAL MOVIE WEBSITES
~’HESHER’ = THE NEW ‘LITTLE MISS SUNSHINE’ ? HELL, YES !! |
Posted in Movie Reviews, The Bomb | By Nancy Smith | May 18th, 2011, 12:43pm
TEXT & PHOTOS: NANCY SMITH. MAY 13, 2011
FILE UNDER: THE HESHER – !! – MAKING INDIE WAVES !!
YES, that is art HOMEBOY – HESH – !! – aka HASH HALPER – who’s parodied, or hero-ed, or had his life-story stolen !! – or whatever you would friggin call it – identity-theft ? – in the new indie release: ‘HESHER’ – which just scored 3+1/2 stars out of 4 (!!) in a movie review just posted by KYLE SMITH – in the NEW YORK POST – this morning !!!!
the infamous – now famous ? HESH, center . . . of attention, natch. flanked by his sister SARAH LEWIS and artlovers’ KATE CERIGO – at the recent opening of another sister – ESTE LEWIS at THE PROPOSITION – MARCH 26, 2011 !!
PHOTO: NANCY SMITH
see: ESTE LEWIS MEETS JAMES MONT !!
titled: ‘Antihero to the rescue’ – the KYLE SMITH review is a little hard to fathom – but the main deal gets across: HESH, or here as he is called, HESHER !! – RULES !!
Hesher . . . “a heavy-metal angel played by JOSEPH GORDON-LEVITT . . . violent of hair, bare of chest, black of jeans and sporting a large middle finger tattoo on his back (in case you get behind him) is a burnout who appears in the life of a miserable young boy (Devin Brochu) who is missing his mom.
The boy is living in the past. His father (Rainn Wilson), a crumpled ex-man in sweatpants, isn’t living at all. Only the boy’s sweetly weird grandmother (Piper Laurie) appreciates the importance of the present, although she is aided by what she calls ‘medical cigarettes to help with nausea’.” ha.
the review continues: “Real-life Heshers – seen snickering six inches off the boundary of high school, smoking cigarettes and smashing bottles – are best avoided during that brief period between the full flowering of their anti-social skills and their inevitable departure to prison or the military or maybe the grave.” I’m sure the real Heshter – would take righteous issue with that !! it’s obvious that although the filmmakers know the real Hesh, Kyle Smith does not, but he intuitively gets it right as he continues, “The screen Hesher, though, is a cosmic clown, an imp of the perverse on a mission of the inappropriate” . . . and thank god for that – that somebody’s got the brains & ‘color’ – to be on that kind of mission . . . for sure. in these sorry days. right on, Hesh !!
and Kyle Smith does end his review with these fightin’ words: “Sometimes the only response to despair and cruelty, Hesher figures, is to make things go boom. In some bizarro Book of Job, I’d like to see the poor slob fight back as colorfully as Hesher: It wouldn’t accomplish anything, but it would at least show some freaking spirit.” !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
amen.
read: the complete HESHER /REVIEW by KYLE SMITH/NEW YORK POST May 13, 2011 – yo, that’s right. FRI the 13th, ha.
the POST also has a great ‘exclusive’ clip up & running:
see: WATCH A CLIP FROM – HESHER !!
‘HESHER’ – is currently playing at the ANGELIKA – HOUSTON and MERCER streets.
from their website, cause it rings TRUE, is why !!
FROM DIRECTOR: SPENCER SUSSER – with NATALIE PORTMAN, JOSEPH-LEVITT, RAINN WILSON, PIPER LAURIE & JOHN CARROLL LYNCH – “Loud music. Pornography. Burning shit to the ground. These are few of Hesher’s favorite things. And they are what Hesher brings into the lives of TJ and his father . . when he takes up residence in their garage uninvited.”
you can also catch: ‘HESHER’ – THE OFFICIAL TRAILER, on the ANGELIKA WEBSITE !!
WOW – GREAT TRAILER, OR WHAT !!!! – HESH YOU GO – BOY !! – DON’T BLINK – HIT THE LINK !!
~yes !! that’s HESH !! |
Posted in Movie Reviews, The Bomb | By Nancy Smith | May 13th, 2011, 8:20am
