When his mother passes away, T.J. (Devin Brochu) and his fragile, pill-popping father (Rainn Wilson) unwillingly move in with his grandmother (Piper Laurie). Out of nowhere, Hesher (Joseph Gordon-Levitt), a troubled youth who causes ruckus in improbable ways, invites himself to join T.J. in his new home. Hesher’s presence greatly irks T.J., but before long a brother/mentor relationship forms, and the miscreant drags T.J. along for some fuckery. Natalie Portman, playing a disgruntled grocery clerk, enters the scene as T.J.’s obsession and guardian from Hesher’s extreme antics. This coming-of-age story, supported by an ensemble of critically adored cast, smells like an indie hit to us. It hits SXSW next month, with an April release to follow.
