.authored by something.of.substance.
- Reppin’ 1994.
Not knowing much about this movie except that I “simply had to see it”, I incorporated it into an experience of my own. After chatting with an old classmate of mine- someone who I hadn’t seen or heard from in over seven years- we decided to each drive from our respective (current) states of residence to meet in the state in between. To see this movie. And to have that experience.
And, really, what a prescient movie for such a plan! Luke Shapiro (a constantly open-mouthed Peck) has just graduated from high school and has an entire summer ahead of him before he’ll be attending his “safety school” the coming fall. It’s 1994, hip-hop culture is finally coming into its own and Mayor Guiliani is cracking down on all sorts of “fun”. As a means of earning funds, Luke sells pot out of an ice cart up and down the streets of Manhatten. Somewhere along the way, he has fallen in with therapist Dr. Jeffrey Squires (played by a nearly-accentless Kingsley) who takes payment in the form of weed and just happens to the step-father of Luke’s biggest crush Stephanie (Olivia Thirlby looking highly disaffected despite her hedonism). Predictably, Luke and Squires become something of friends.
Really, “The Wackness” is a coming-of-age story with both Luke and Squires finding themselves in similar existential crises. Luke’s family is facing impending financial disaster and possible eviction and, more importantly, he’s had no success with women. Squires is stuck in a loveless and failing marriage to a trophy wife and takes more drugs-both prescribed and street- than most of his patients. The similarities between them, even at their respective ages, outweigh their differences and they learn that they need each other.
Stephanie’s hedonisitic affair with Luke provides the title line of the film. While “honeymooning” together at her step-father’s island house, Luke prepares to tell her he’s in love with her. Rather than speaking his mind (at that time anyway), Luke wants to know what happens after their weekend getaway. She responds by telling him that she “always sees The Dopeness in life but he only wants to see The Wackness”.
summertime like
The “wackness” that Stephanie is referring to is Luke’s ability to see both the good and bad and to want to feel both. Stephanie lives only for what she can get without need to regard any sort of reality. When Luke finally tells her he loves her, amid his fantasy sex on a beach, she brushes him off and goes back to living an emotionless existance.
Luke, though, acknowledges his emotions and only seeks to understand-rather than regulate- them. Dr. Squires seeks to have any emotion once again. In fact, the film proudly backs its idea that any situation in which you invest yourself can be positive- even one where your heart is broken.
In the end, it is Luke’s deep friendship with Dr. Squires that enriches and saves both of them. It is the gamble they take on each other- as well as those they seek out separately- which propels both of them into richer future lives. And, it was my gamble in crossing state lines to experience both this film and my friend that made my life that much richer.
