Last week I took advantage of the great opportunity of seeing some new films at Sundance 2010. What this means is I am seeing films often months before they get a wide release or in some cases longer. In fact a large portion of what I see has not yet secured distribution deals.

The first film I saw was a strangely outrageous comedy/drama titled Hesher starring the versatile Joshua Gordon Levitt in the title role. Levitt, who starred in last years Sundance sensation 500 Days Of Summer, takes on the role of a dirty, long haired and perpetually thrill seeking loser who by chance comes to meet a young boy. The boy TJ is dealing with a family tragedy and while on a bike excursion he has managed to ruin the hideout of our character Hesher. Hesher then sets up house with the TJ's family and sets out to help TJ with his family problems, as he is somehow fit to do so. Trouble is that everything our character Hesher does to help young TJ is either dangerous,felonious or just plain wrong. Along the way Hesher comes to the aid of a woman who works in the local grocery store. And she happens to be the object of young TJ's desires.

The film gets generous help with it's supporting cast including a surprisingly straight playing Rainn Wilson (Dwight from The Office) as TJ's dad, John Carrol Lynch (Drew Carey show and last years Grand Torino) as the salvage yard boss and a bespectacled Natalie Portman as the above mentioned grocery store clerk. Last but not least is Piper Laurie (The Hustler,Carrie) as grandma. Hesher and her develop a strangely tender friendship including a bong scene that has to be seen to be believed. All the while Levitt, Portman and the kid get into some crazy trouble that happens to involve the most insane recreation of a Star Wars scene ever.

Despite the fact the film is a bit too profane (it beats you over the head with it in parts) and that it mixes characters unevenly(the kid TJ is played a little too broadly in the films second half and Natalie Portman is slightly underused) we still get some rich performances and a great iconic ending. Use of vintage metal helps drive the film in parts and Heshers own raucous spirit will recall Brad Pitts Fight Club in parts. Definitly one to see again.