AUGUST 22, 2023
WRITTEN BY:
“Why do people only ask deep questions when something bad happens to them?” — Tommy Corn
As I watch the 2004 film “I Heart Huckabees” the obvious questions come to mind. Why isn’t Jason Schwartzman a bigger star? How come Jude Law’s American accent is slightly off? Why is a movie trying to teach me philosophy concepts from an intro to philosophy class? And Dustin Hoffman, will he ever be more perfectly cast as the Dick Tracy villain Mumbles?
SPOILERS AHEAD
“I Heart Huckabees” is a 2004 comedy/drama film directed by David O. Russel. Smartly written, and slyly funny, it explores many different types of philosophical themes that made me go “hmm, I like the way they presented that.” So instead of covering the film, I wanted to cover the 3rd question I posed up above about philosophy concepts that they presented in the film as well as the -ism’s they tackled in a quirky, fun kind of way with a ridiculously loaded cast btw.
NO MAYO
Existentialism: The film tackles existential questions about the nature of existence, purpose, and personal identity. It examines how characters grapple with their place in the world and their quest for meaning amid the chaos of life. The main clients of the agency are Jason Schwartzman, but also Mark Wahlberg, Jude Law, and Naomi Watts as the film progresses. And in each case, they provide them with some help in determining their existence.
Interconnectedness and Coincidence: The concept of interconnectedness is a central theme. The characters’ lives are interwoven, and they often encounter coincidences that challenge their understanding of reality. This theme raises questions about determinism, free will, and the impact of our actions on others.
Environmentalism: Albert’s activism and concern for the environment serve as a backdrop to discuss broader themes of human impact on the world and the ethical implications of our choices. And a fantastic poet, Schwartzman/Albert gives us the “You Rock Rock” poem. Unlike Brad/Jude’s poetry, which still needs refinement.
Nihilism vs. Optimism: Characters like Tommy Corn (Wahlberg) embody contrasting philosophical outlooks. Tommy’s nihilistic perspective clashes with the optimism of other characters, highlighting the tension between existential despair and the pursuit of hope. Tommy apparently was asking these deeper questions and living in the darkness since 9/11 and how that event could make people fall into a life of nihilistic thought and behavior.
LOVE IN THE MUD
Eastern Spirituality: Caterine Vauban (played by Isabelle Huppert) introduces Eastern spiritual ideas like Buddhism to challenge conventional Western views on identity and selfhood. Meditation as well, closing and blocking out the world and thinking about the interconnection we all have, “no time for infinity” Dustin Hoffman.
FUCKABEES
Consumerism and Materialism: The movie critiques consumer culture through the fictional store “Huckabees,” which represents a generic mega-corporation. This aspect of the film explores the emptiness of material pursuits and the quest for true fulfillment.
Personal Relationships: The interactions between characters expose the complexities of human relationships and the challenges of understanding and connecting with others. A lot of reveals about each of the characters backgrounds, make them relatable and also tries to connect our own struggles with parental neglect, familial relations, troubled intimacy, and lack of recognition that help make the film seem universal.
MANCALA HOUR
Philosophical Debates: The characters engage in debates about philosophy, often in humorous and surreal settings. These debates highlight the diversity of philosophical viewpoints and invite viewers to consider different perspectives. Another aspect of these debates is that it presents the high-level thinking in simplistic terms and makes it easy to digest and explain.
HOW AM I NOT MYSELF?
Side note, one of the best parts of the film is when Brad/Jude Law gets his Shania Tuna Sandwich story tossed back into his face. Sometimes a person who only plays one note over and over needs to hear the truth about how many times they have played that one note. And when it happens to Jude Law in the film, you will get a sense of satisfaction in some odd way.
I HEART HUCKABEES THEREFORE I AM
Although a lack of minority representation is present in the film, there is a lot to unpack and like. It may be a film that not all people will like, but it can’t be accused of being boring. A soundtrack by Jon Brion makes the theme song instantly likeable. And there are enough cameo appearances from young up and comers (Jonah Hill, Isla Fisher) to Hollywood royalty (Tipi Hedren) and Canada’s very own Shania Twain, and finally sprinkle in Jean Smart, and even Talia Shire (Rocky’s wife?) there is something here to like for everyone. While the movie doesn’t
provide definitive answers to these philosophical questions, it stimulates conversations and introspection about these complex topics.