#81 - The Chumscrubber (2005) Review

The Chumscrubber (2005), Arie Posin
3.5/5

This is a strange, powerful and intriguing film looking at suburban families with an almost high sheen clarity. Focusing on the children absent parenting, this film has an artificial feel to it with an almost Pleasantville (1998) feel with the perfectly manicured gardens, and the replica houses and streets. Amongst all this the children suffer from absent parents, lack of attention, and no one listens to them. Through the main character Dean (Jamie Bell) we distinctly feel the lack of voice given to children and youth by adults and particularly parents. Every problem is faced with dismissal or contempt. There are some powerful and disturbing issues in this film, but it feels bewildering because everything feels so fake and artificial because of the characters lack of interest and concern, everything is a facade. On that level the film builds tension as things begin to crumble, particularly for Dean who has been labelled as "crazy"  and is overmedicated by his self-help book author father (played by William Fichtner, The Dark Knight) and Dean appears to begin to manifest actual problems after his best friends death. Dean is the only voice of reason and authenticity in the film and he is repeatedly dismissed and ignored furiously throughout the film. The strengths The Chumscrubber are the casting and performances, particularly Jamie Bell (Billy Elliot) as Dean and Glenn Close (The Shield) as Carrie Johnson. The cinematography isn't that interesting, but the set design is exemplary. However I disliked the inclusion of the animated character of "The Chumscrubber" which wasn't as effective as it could have been in communicating it's messages about adolescent heros etc. The Chumscrubber has elements similar to films like American Beauty (1999), Pleasantville (1998), and The Stepford Wives (2004). Overall an interesting film with some important issues and good performances.