I am infuriated by school bullies. I'm infuriated by the rigid social structure in schools that surpass any but the caste system in India. I'm infuriated by childhood obesity. I'm infuriated by adults who shirk their parental responsibilities and just leave. I'm infuriated by what seems to be the escalating occurrence of Alzheimer's disease in a younger and younger senior population still without a cure and with fewer and fewer social services available to accommodate their dire situations. I'm infuriated by the corresponding burden on children who must relinquish their youth to become their caregivers caregivers. Terri, though, seems to stoically, patiently, even compassionately takes on these problems. When you think he, or anyone in his situation, would simply shut down, he surprises you with his ability to endure all these hardships and even rise to the challenges and respond with composure and sometimes solutions to his problems and those of the people near him. .
Terri may not have the inner pease of a Buddha, but his dealing with the adversities life has thrown at him must have some Buddhist philosophy behind it. The worst insult of all was when the only one who reached out to offer solace, his high school principal, Mr. Fitzgerald (John C. Reilly), betrayed his trust. Still Terri rose above the human failings of Mr. Fitzgerald. Even his wardrobe of pajamas, at home and everywhere, suggests the loose, comfortable robes of a monk or ascetic. Terri (delicately played by Jacob Wysocki) is the new hero -- he listens to girls, he takes care of his friends, he forgives, he takes on responsibility, and he broods as well as any James Dean in his own larger-than-life way.
Terri
Director: Azazel Jacobs
Writer: story by Azazel Jacobs and Patrick DeWitt, sreenplay by Patrick DeWitt
Cast: Jacob Wysocki, John C. Reilly, Creed Bratton, Olivia Crocicchia, Bridger Zadina
Rating: R
Opening July 15 at the Bridge Theatre in San Francisco
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