Igby Goes Down

Burr Steers, USA, 2002, 97 minutes

Telling the tale of a young disaffected socialite, Jason “Igby” Slocomb Jr. (played with some panache by Kieran Culkin), Igby Goes Down is writer/director Burr Steers’ spin on J.D.Salinger’s 1951 novel Catcher in the Rye. Over the course of the film Jason attempts to define the meaning of his existence whilst trying to overcome some particularly tough obstacles: his vituperative mother Mimi (an excellent performance by Susan Sarandon) who attempts to force him into practically every educational establishment on the East coast; his obnoxious older brother Oliver (Ryan Philippe playing to his strengths) and, not least of all, Jason’s own innate apathy.

His journey brings him from the pinnacle of high society to the lowest dregs, drug-dealers masquerading as artists, in his attempt to escape from the strictures of his coddled lifestyle. It is an undeniably entertaining ride, despite, or maybe because of, the principal characters’ unsympathetic demeanour. Enjoyment of this film is heightened by the witty script, but it is the chemistry between the actors that makes the sometimes brutally insensitive interplay between the characters so compelling. In a film where no performance is less than decent, one towers above the rest: Bill Pullman as Jason’s psychologically damaged father, giving the film its heart, and providing a quiet emotional pain to counterbalance the theatrics of the other players. His father’s condition is what Jason fears most; he can easily see himself following the same path.

So the cast (also including Claire Danes and Jeff Goldblum) play their parts with relish, the dialogue is brisk and snappy and the direction crisp and efficient, this gives the viewer plenty to enjoy this movie even if Igby himself remains ultimately difficult to empathise with. If you’re in the mood for a darkly anti-feel good experience this stands well as Fight Club’s younger brother.

Review by Ben "Cheap Hack" Wilkinson
Written for EUFS Programme Spring 2004