Igby Goes Down (15)

A CROSS between The Royal Tenenbaums and Donnie Darko, two of the finest American films of the past few years, Igby Goes Down is in the same league.

Although it may not be as funny as The Royal Tenenbaums or as dark as Donnie Darko, it's as satisfying as both.

The performances from the cast are universally excellent. Kieran Culkin, younger brother of Macaulay, in particular shines in the lead role of Igby.

His character is reminiscent of Holden Caulfield, the character in the cult novel Catcher in the Rye.

But where Holden was at times irritating, Culkin's Igby is far more sympathetic and likeable.

Igby comes from an affluent but dysfunctional East Coast family.

His father (played in a great cameo by Bill Pullman), the only person he has a bond with, has been institutionalised after a breakdown, his loathsome mother (Susan Sarandon) wants the best for him but finds it impossible to show him any affection and his high flying and arrogant brother (Ryan Phillipe) is a constant thorn in his side.

Igby spends his time getting kicked out of the finest schools on the East Coast before finally ending up in a military school.

He decides to make a run for it and ends up living in a New York apartment that belongs to his charismatic but morally bankrupt godfather (played with typical style by Jeff Goldblum) and ends up having a sexual relationship with his junky mistress (the lovely Amanda Peet).

Igby then falls in love with a kindred spirit, a beautiful bohemian student (Claire Danes) and the pair plan to start a new life in California.

As an adolescent getting ready to enter the real adult world, Igby cuts a swathe through the hypocrisy of his family elders until he finds he has no chance against their cunning.

It's a subtle film and although it's not peppered with one-liners, when the laughs come they're well worth the wait.

And the acerbic dialogue is to be savoured.

Mono rating: 81/2 out of 10

Now showing at the UGC Cinemas in Newport and Cardiff