Rating: 
Summary: Painful but rewarding
Review: There's nothing new under the sun. This is a theme that's been tackled before but not quite so well. What makes this movie work is the performances--most notably by Kieran Culkin (and, as his younger self, by real-life younger brother Rory Culkin. (Is there a limitless supply of gifted Culkins?) With Bill Pullman offering a harrowing, entirely believable portrait of mental illness as Igby's father, and Susan Sarandon (who gives, sadly, the least believable performance in the film) as the pill-popping, relentless and utterly loathsome mother; with Ryan Philippe doing a convincing job as a driven, upwardly-mobile older brother, Igby doesn't stand a chance. Betrayal on all sides is the hallmark of his life and it's a testament to the character's intelligence and powerful life force that he doesn't crumble under the multiple assaults on his sensibilities. Igby lives in hope--something necessary to survival--and we hope along with him.There are some hilarious scenes and some that are positively shocking in their unexpected brutality. Jeff Goldblum is flawless as Igby's super-rich godfather--helpful and seemingly feckless at moments only, at other moments, to reveal a cruelty stunning in its efficiency. Clare Danes (who, one must hope, will be around for decades to reveal more and more of her depthless talent) is lovely as Sookie--a layered, thoughtful performance with great substance. And Amanda Peet is like a live wire on wet pavement as Goldblum's girl-on-the-side. Don't miss this. It offers a genuine insight into the mind of a bright, troubled (not without cause) young man and his innate resourcefulness in seeking something better and finer for his future.
My highest recommendation.
Rating:
Summary: The Tracks of My Tears
Review: Poor Igby is surrounded by a bunch of repressed, over-achievers who tend to vent their rage on him. He is ignored by his friends, rejected by his family and misunderstood by all. Burr Steers has created this deeply felt, wickedly funny, portrait of the artist as a young man, with great understanding of what it feels like to be young and free. All the characters have tried to put a lid on their rage, but everyone seems to boil over. Amanda Peet plays the doomed Rachel as Edie Sedgwick, prancing around in a stripped turtle neck sweater and black panty hose, applying foundation to her track-marked arms. Jeff Goldblum as Igby's "godfather", swaggers around with a big fat cigar in his hand, doling out money and abuse in equal doses. Ryan Phillippe is the socio-pathic, yuppie-in-training, brother who takes whatever and whomever he wants, whenever he wants. And then there is Claire Danes, the quintesential, childhood deprived, ironic New Yorker who understands everything and nothing in equal measures. Bill Pullman is the dad who acheived too much, thought too little, and has paid a big ugly price. Towering over everyone is the control freak mom, played with perfection by Susan Sarandon. Oh yeah, I almost forgot to mention Kieran Culkin's performance as Igby, all I can say is, wow! The emotions build, and by the end, I shared in the feelings of Igby's catharsis. If you liked The Royal Tenebaums, you may very well love this.
Rating: 
Summary: not good or structured
Review: this was reviewed with greatness by the critics. it is long ,
boring , unfunny , and very dry. i could have wrote this screenplay but i would have put real comedy. dont rent unless
your artsy fartsy.
Rating:
Summary: Wasted 90 minutes
Review: Why the hell do people think a movie good? Because it is a "black comedy" that deals with coming of age, rich folks, drugs, and Manhatten. The story is lost in its attempt to be ultra cool and hip with no compelling story. What story there is wasted on totally cynical characters of which one has no empathy. Sorry I trusted the "top 10" lists.
Rating: 
Summary: The best teen-angst film in recent years
Review: Igby Goes Down sports a fantastic cast, but its lead, Kieran Culkin, steals the show as a 17-year-old with no ambition in life. Using a great combination of music and visual cues, Igby Goes Down captures the confusion of Igby, a social and family outcast kicked out of school after school. Though many of his situations are bleak, the film is never heavy in despair. Rather, it maintains a refreshingly upbeat rhythm as the spoiled Igby tries to find his lot in life. It's similar in theme to The Graduate, but with a more charming atmosphere. Igby's listless in life, but he's trying to appear that he enjoys it more then Dustin Hoffman's character did in the 1960s film. Culkin shows that he has the staying power to becoming a great actor. He convincingly portrays a wide range of emotions, including the hard to achieve apathy that Igby shows the world. He even manages to outshine his co-stars, who include Susan Sarandan, Jeff Goldblum, Ryan Phillippe and Claire Danes. The accompanying soundtrack hits all the right notes, blending in perfectly with the visuals while avoiding clichéd, obvious scenes. Igby Goes Down is a splendid twist in the coming-of-age genre, with plenty of black humor, fantastic acting and great music to keep you going back for more. This one is highly recommended.
Rating:
Summary: Brillant!
Review: This movie is in my opinion one of the year's best. It is witty, ironic and devestaing all at the same time. It does share some similarities with "Cathcher in the Rye" but it definietely has its own identity at the same time. Some of the lines from the movie are simply classic. You will laugh but at the same time you will feel and overwhelming sadness. Kiernan Culkin's performance is amazing! YOU must see this movie.
Rating:
Summary: ODD, BUT GOOD
Review: Igby Goes Down was an extremely witty and entertaining movie. It had some parallels with "Catcher in the Rye," most notably, the main character, Igby. "Igby Goes Down" and "Catcher and the Rye's" main characters [Holden Caufield] were both outcasts with troubled lives. Although other than that, the similarities ended. The reason this movie worked is that even though Igby made some bad decisions, one still cared about him Kieran Culkin did an excellent part as what has become his niche, the sarcastic, troublemaking pariah. The supporting cast was also excellent with actors in roles one might not expect them to inhabit. (Susan Surandon, Bill Pullman, Claire Danes) This movie was really good, and I would definitely suggest anyone to see it, especially if the person loves the unusual.
Rating:
Summary: Igby Goes all the way!!
Review: Igby Slocumb, a rebellious and sarcastic seventeen year-old boy, played by Kieran Culkin, is at war with the oppressive world of his family. His father is schizophrenic, his mother is cold and distant, and his big brother is an arrogant wannabe aristocrat. Igby figures there must be a better life out there, and he sets out to find it. After flunking out of several Prep Schools, Igby escapes into the bohemian underworld of Manhattan. His darkly comic trip, which he share with a deviant cast of characters, including his terminally bored, part-time lover Sookie, his Godfater's mistress Rachel, and drug dealing performance artist Russel, veers from bizarre to tragic in Igby's ultimately noble attempt to keep himself from "going down." This film has a stellar cast, an amazing script, and superb direction. It is quite possibly one of the best films to come out of 2002.
Rating:
Summary: "Igby is a name, Someone Called Sookie Shouldnt Question"
Review: Every once in a while I run across a movie that is absolutely wonderful in every way possible, yet is seen by a total of seven people. This unfortunately seems to be the case with one of the best film releases of 2002, "Igby Goes Down".This pitch black comedy basically channels the spirit and the atmosphere of J.D. Salinger's classic "Catcher in the Rye" for the new millenium.In this case the 'poor little rich boy' is a smart mouthed, seventeen year old named Igby (well played by Kieran Culkin), who is on his way to being kicked out of every good private/parochial school on the East Coast.The source of Igby's rebellion is his wealthy, dysfunctional family, that includes a tyrannical, pill popping mother (suberbly played by Susan Sarandon), a cold, yuppie, older brother (Ryan Phillippe) and a mentally unbalanced, institutionalized father (Bill Pullman). To top it all off, he has an advice spewing Godfather (Jeff Goldblum in one of his best roles ever), who has a hidden vicious streak.Igby decides he has had enough of school and goes on the lam (in a pricey rehabbed loft) in New York City.It is here that he meets a variety of colorful, NYC residents (artists, junkies, drag queens etc.) as he tries to survive in the concrete jungle. Eventually Igby must come to terms with his family and it's past.Did I mention this was a comedy? This is a film that has both pathos and a very dark sense of humor, that will have you laughing thoughout. Writer/Director, Burr Steers has crafted a comical script that is both witty and literate. The conversations of these characters are infinitely interesting to listen to.This is also a film in which the casting is perfection. All the actors in this ensemble cast are performing at the top of their craft. The performances are funny, yet full of nuance.As mentioned before, both actors Susan Sarandon and Jeff Goldblum, put in excellent performances as some rather nasty characters. A special mention should also be made for actress, Claire Danes, who is very good as Sookie, a pseudo-bohemian college student (on break of course), who just might be Igby's only friend.The DVD to this movie is both crisp and clear. Extras include a Director's commentary track, a movie trailer, a featurette with actor interviews and a wonderful compilation of deleted scenes.If you are a fan of Holden Caulfield or just dark humor in general, then I would highly recommend this acerbic, confection of a film.
Rating:
Summary: Goddamn this was good.
Review: Upon first seeing the cover and the title, I expected a dark comedy, something that would make me feel clammy at the end...like Ghost World. But the film was totally different. It was, in its own way, exhilarating and feel-good. Kieran Culkin does an awesome job of achieving the whole charismatic yet troubled boy persona. Seemingly amoral and without values and standards, his character is the epitome of all realism in a childhood (minus the whole rich parents and godfather ...). In my opinion, the movie was majestically done and written in a novel fashion, one that is sparse in movies today. And of course, watching the movie via DVD was great...blah, blah, blah.
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