Written by Jennifer
March 17, 2009
"I just wish you were hyperactive. I'm great with hyperactivity!"
Rocket Science is the delightfully quirky tale of Hal Hefner (Reece Thompson), a high school student with a crippling stutter. Just trying to tell the lunch lady that he prefers pizza over the "general fish" is pure torture, but like so many of us, Hal is "full of retorts". When debate champion Ginny (Anna Kendrick) recruits him for the highly competitive debate team, it looks like Hal will finally have a chance to express himself... except that his stutter isn't really getting any better, and she never gives him a chance to talk. Is the girl of his dreams just using him to advance her own quest for world domination?
Hal's world is complicated and confusing, but it seems to him that life shouldn't be rocket science. His father leaves because his mother is difficult, and she quickly takes up with the father of one of Hal's Korean-American classmates. Awkwardness ensues as the lovebirds force their children to endure their embarrassing displays of affection. Hal's brother is a greasy moron who only calls him by girl's names, and none of this is made any easier by his stutter. Even the special needs counselor at school is of little use—"I just wish you were hyperactive. I'm great with hyperactivity!"
The movie is full of witty lines and interesting characters, but my favorite is Ginny's freaky neighbor boy. He's particularly hilarious as he tells Hal to get off his street.
"It's public property," yells Hal.
"We'll see," growls Freaky Neighbor Boy.
We'll see?! Is that not the most brilliant comeback in all the world? You'd have to use it in the most inarguable and clear-cut of situations, but just think—your landlord tells you your rent is due on Friday: "We'll see!" Ha ha!
If you're a fan of movies like Rushmore, if (like me) you think stuttering is the most endearing thing in the world, or if you just want to see a funny, well-written movie, be sure to check this one out.
