Graphic By: Jamie Reedy

While the hypnosis works, triggering Justin's subconscious to think his thumb tastes like Echinacea, it doesn't cure all of his problems. Rebecca (Kelli Garner), head of the debate team and the apple of Justin's eye, seems out of reach, while Mr. Geary (Vince Vaughn) worries that Justin is having trouble focusing on his school assignments.

After being tested, Justin is diagnosed with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder; however his parents, Audrey (Tilda Swinton) and Mike (Vincent D'Onofrio), believe the symptoms are rather vague.

Justin is dead-set on being ADHD and soon gets a prescription filled that puts him on what he believes to be the right track.

He's sharper, more focused. He wears a tie. He's now the head of the debate team, and, for the first time, he knows what it's like to win. For a while, everything seems to work. That is, until he comes off the medication and the crushing realities of adolescence set in once again.

The acting in this film is superb. Keanu Reeves, as the free-thinking orthodontist, is terrific and delivers some great lines. Vince Vaughn's portrayal of an aging high school teacher who still wants to fit in with the gang is endearing and extremely humorous in the classic Vaughn fashion.

Also brilliant are Tilda Swinton and Vincent D'Onofrio as Justin's dysfunctional parents, who seem like they need to do more growing up than their son. The characters are fleshed out so well; you really see them as a family unit.

Last, but not least, I can't go on without mentioning Lou Pucci. Pucci won the Special Jury Prize at the 2005 Sundance Film Festival for his performance, as well as Best Actor in the Berlin International Film Festival.

The film's director, Mike Mills, received The Guardian New Directors Award from the Edinburgh International Film Festival. I can only hope this is the first of many great things to come from him.

Thumbsucker reminds us of how exhilarating and tormenting growing up can be. We're all messed up in some way. We're all outcasts sometimes, and we're all a little odd under the surface. This film satisfies without big budgets or mind-boggling special effects. Instead of pleasing our senses, it aims for the heart, driving home touching performances and a story we can all relate to.

If you enjoyed films like The Station Agent, Garden State or even Napoleon Dynamite, then you should definitely see Thumbsucker. It was sorely overlooked in 2005 due to limited release and being overshadowed by huge blockbusters, but is now at your fingertips thanks to its DVD release.

I urge you to drop what you're doing right now and get to the nearest video store and pick it up. Don't let the name fool you: it definitely does not suck.