Igby Goes Down

On the surface, Igby Goes Down looks like any other small-time, art-house movie: a bland, overdone commentary on the ironic and hypocritical lifestyles of the rich. However, Steers' directorial debut shatters all expectations in its completely honest depiction of a Holden Caulfield-esque teenager, the titular "Igby", unable to cope with growing up.

Jason "Igby" Slocumb Jr. (a young Kieran Culkin, giving the performance of his career) rebels against his wealthy, East-Coast family in quite a spectacular way, by being kicked out of every prep school he finds his way into, much to the chagrin of his self-absorbed, pill-popping mother Mimi (Susan Sarandon) and his ambitious, manipulative older brother Ollie (Ryan Phillippe). The film is centred around Igby and how the characters that come into contact with him cope with his bizarre and complicated personality. His witty and cleverly written dialogue produces laugh after laugh: "Neo-fascism" is his response when asked what Ollie is studying at Columbia University, meaning economics.

The story escalates when Igby escapes military school for the summer by being sent to stay with his godfather, DH (Jeff Goldblum, who as usual, looks magnificent in a suit). Here, he encounters DH's heroin-addicted trophy mistress and her drug dealing "artist" friend Russel (Amanda Peet and Jared Harris respectively) as well as his own part-time lover, Sookie (Claire Danes).

Critics have compared Steers' masterpiece to both The Catcher In The Rye and The Graduate, but he transcends the two stories in that he maintains subplot with fluidity and excellence, bringing out real character in Igby's family and friends rather than two-dimensional extensions of the titular character, as seen in both novels. Mimi, who in any other film would be seen as a two dimensional "bitch" is elevated to greatness in that she sees herself as she truly is and as others see her.

Each of the central characters is acted superbly and without fault. Bill Pullman, acting as the schizophrenic, institultionalised Jason Slocumb Sr., and Kieran Culkin deliver some of the most heartbreaking scenes ever committed to film with the help of their fellow cast members. The twist of the ending is both entirely unexpected and completely obvious at the same time, leaving viewers wondering how they could have missed it.

It would be a grave error for the wonderful soundtrack to be overlooked. Igby Goes Down is accompanied by a wave of beautiful music, with contributions from Coldplay, The Dandy Warhols and Badly Drawn Boy and an unbelievable cover of The Weight from Travis (as well as few original pieces for good measure).

All in all, the most excellent film I have seen for a long time and well worth watching. It's a wonder that it isn't better celebrated than a 72% rating on Rotten Tomatoes. My compliments to the cast and crew on a job well done.