by Debbie Elias

Created on: July 06, 2008   Last Updated: September 18, 2008

Obviously more than a few of you took heed of my Los Angeles Film Festival recommendations for "Must See Festival Films" and caught the sneak preview of THE WACKNESS, as by the Festival's close on June 29, THE WACKNESS whacked its competition in the Audience Award portion of the Festival and walked away with the Audience Award for Best Narrative Feature. Now, the rest of you will have the chance to see the most WACKTASTIC film of the summeras it opens in NY and LA on July 3 and nationwide over the coming weeks.

The summer of 1994 is an interesting time in New York City. An oppressive heat waves blankets the City. Newly elected Mayor Rudy Giuliani is cracking down on everything from crimes to crack dealers to loud radios and graffiti. East Coast hip hop blares from apartment and car windows alike. And Luke Shapiro is spending his last summer before college making ends meet selling marijuana from an ice cream vending cart while getting high and undergoing therapy with a wanna-be-hip psychologist, Dr. Jeff Squires, who just happens to be paid with pot. Ironically, the two have a couple of other common bonds as well - unstable home lives (Luke's father can't make ends meet forcing Luke to peddle his pot even harder as a means to help take care of his mother and himself, while Squires is in a marriage that ended a long time ago submerging him in the wallow of in sorrow and self-pity) and most importantly, they both want to get laid. And just for a little intrigue, Luke happens to be a virgin with an eye for Squires' beautiful, "popular" and worldly stepdaughter, Stephanie. And as for Squires, well, he may as well be a virgin.

Toss in a summer home on Fire Island, a romantic getaway in Barbados, a phone booth in a seedy bar and a big summer cash clientele, and it looks like our heroes may both find what they seek. Or do they? Typically I don't do spoilers but, at the behest of numerous fans of the film and filmmakers from LAFF, I will say this: Yes, Luke does lose his virginity to the sexy Stephanie, however, as you guys and gals sit and reminisce about your "first time" don't forget to recall your own trials, tribulations, trepidation and often less than explosive results which may give you an inkling into the antics of Luke and Stephanie. As for Squires, ya gotta see it to believe it!

The leading and supporting performances of every player in this film are more than impressive, impeccably timed and always right on the money. As for Josh Peck and Sir Ben Kingsley,

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