The Chumscrubber (2005)

Cast includes:
CHARACTER	ACTOR/ACTRESS	RATING
Dean	Jamie Bell
Crystal	Camilla Belle	½
Billy	Justin Chatwin
Carrie Johnson	Glenn Close
Charlie Stiffle	Rory Culkin
Charlie Bratley	Thomas Curtis	½
Mr. Peck	Tim DeKay
Mr. Bill Stiffle	William Fichtner
Mayor Michael Ebbs	Ralph Fiennes	½
Mrs. Parker	Caroline Goodall
Officer Lou Bratley	John Heard	½
Boutique Owner	Lauren Holly
Mr. Parker	Jason Isaacs
Allie Stiffle	Allison Janney
Troy	Josh Janowicz
Jerri Falls	Carrie-Anne Moss	½
Lee	Lou Taylor Pucci
Terri Bratley	Rita Wilson	½

Review

Arie Posin's The Chumscrubber falls into line with a series of segmented, tangentially connected ensemble films that provide a skewed, semi-philosophical take on life. This is classic Paul Thomas Anderson/Todd Solondz territory, and for tone and themes, Posin draws inspiration from a cross between Desperate Housewives and The Stepford Wives. The result is amusing and often interesting, with particularly Glenn Close and Jamie Bell revelling in their roles. Posin touches some poignant details, and shifts deftly and elegantly between moods and tenors. And as a social comment, The Chumscrubber attacks the perfect suburban facade that is being held up by easy drug prescriptions. Unfortunately, Posin's satire is never cutting. As much of his film, he's gentle and mild, more often than not just scratching the surface. His observations and ideas are too recycled to make a lasting impression, and the "chumscrubber" - believing to be the figure uncovering the truths - becomes more of a showcase than anything else.