This movie is the directorial debut from Burr Steers, and he also wrote the screenplay. If the name Burr Steers is familiar to you - he has acted himself (“Pulp Fiction”; “The last days of disco”) and for those of you who like the trivia, he is the nephew of Gore Vidal, as well as being the nephew of Jackie Onassis. Steers has admitted that “Igby goes down” is, to some degree, autobiographical. His brother died of AIDS (not that that’s a central theme to the movie or anything) and troubled family life and teenage angst feature prominently. He’s in his 30s now, so I imagine he’s delving into the past somewhat.
It is certainly a movie that teenagers will identify with but it’s not just aimed at them – it’s much more intelligent film than that. Try the following themes: how things can be different from appearances; how you can come from an affluent, seemingly successful, family but have all kinds of problems; trying to find yourself; coming of age.
Yes, “Igby goes down” is about all these things. Although there was much about it that I just didn’t identify with (some of the characters, the drug culture, the wealthy backgrounds), I still enjoyed the movie, overall.
It’s quite offbeat, and full of colourful characters, who, even if you don’t like them, have a lot more depth than you usually find in movies. In this respect it’s similar to the “Royal Tenenbaums” and “Rushmore”. In a sense it’s an updated Catcher in the Rye, as well.
Kieran Culkin plays the central character, teenager Igby Slocumb (but Igby’s a nickname, his real name is Jason). He may not be as well known as Macauley Culkin, but he certainly credited himself well here. Younger brother, Rory (yet another Culkin, they’re everywhere!) plays the 10-year old Igby as well.
Oliver, Igby’s brother, is played by Ryan Phillipe He’s so perfect, an all-American golden boy – very handsome and all that, but somehow he manages to have no charm whatsoever. He’s on his way to Columbia University, and probably to some high flying career, maybe in politics at a guess.
The parents are hopeless - their father (Bill Pullman) is institutionalised, probably schizophrenic, their mother (Susan Sarandon) is overbearing and self-obsessed, and in many ways Igby has been robbed of his childhood. Susan Sarandon is excellent, and I do wish she appeared more. She was nominated for a Golden Globe awards, for supporting actress, for her work in this movie.. Igby’s godfather is played by Jeff Goldblum – at times friendly, at times like a slimy, smarmy reptile. It’s a good performance. When he’s in Manhattan, Igby spends much of the time at his godfather’s flat – well, pied-a-terre- he doesn’t seem to live there much himself
Claire Danes plays the girl Igby wants and pursues, Sookie Sapperstein (yes, it’s such a ridiculous name it could almost be a real one). Then there’s Amanda Peet, playing Rachel, the artistic one who’s ‘going through a bad patch’. There are lots of phoney relatives and acquaintances around, most of whom Igby clearly has a low opinion of. Culkin plays the role with a nice mix of teen arrogance and shoulder-shrugging what-the-hell disregard for conventions, or, sometimes, even other people. Culkin himself said the character was a bit like himself: an asshole, “though in a nice, obnoxious sort of way.” Igby is a wild child, in a quiet kind of way – he does a bit of credit card fraud (his mother’s card), and spends some time in a Military academy in the mId West for a while.
The film was financed from Germany. It seems as though Hollywood’s not ready for this kind of honest filmmaking, but the stars were committed to the project, so it went ahead.
The humour is really very black, but if you liked “Royal Tenenbaums”, or “Kids” you should be fine with it.
With the running time at 98 minutes, it’s about the right length.
It has an 18 certificate. Understandable, as it contains swearing, sex scenes and drug content.
DVD extras – There’s a 15 minute feature, “In search of Igby” Deleted scenes There’s a commentary from Culkin and Burr Steer’s (director), which is probably the best extra feature on there, and also a director’s commentary for some of the deleted scenes All of which are worth while getting the DVD for.
£14.99 on amazon.co.uk £14.99 from CD-WOW
More details
Soundtrack
Average
How does it compare to others by the same director?
Not applicable
Value for Money
What format are you reviewing?
Evaluate this review
How helpful would this review be to someone making a buying decision? Rating guidelines
![Igby Goes Down [2003]](http://picnic.ciao.com/uk/65505460.jpg)
