Igby Goes Down is a 2002 Coming of Age Dramedy film written and directed by Burr Steers, starring Kieran Culkin, Susan Sarandon, Claire Danes, Jeff Goldblum, Amanda Peet, Ryan Phillippe, and Bill Pullman.
The film centers around Jason "Igby" Slocumb (Culkin), a misanthropic and wealthy New York City teenager who attempts to break free of the clutches of his overprotective, drug-addicted mother (Sarandon). The film was warmly received by critics, many of whom drew comparisons to J. D. Salinger's The Catcher in the Rye.
This film provides examples of:
- Big Applesauce
- The Cameo: Gore Vidal as a priest.
- Driven to Suicide: Learning she has cancer causes Mimi to take her own life.
- Hot Guy, Ugly Wife: H.D. and his wife Bunny.
- Ivy League for Everyone: Igby's older brother Ollie goes to Columbia.
- Jewish American Princess: Igby refers to Sookie as a "JAP" to her dismay.
- Suicide by Pills: How Mimi kills herself upon learning she has cancer, using a lethal dose of pills hidden in strawberry ice cream.
- Trophy Wife: H.D. has a trophy mistress named Rachel (played by Amanda Peet) who he even invites to the same party as his wife.
- True Art Is Incomprehensible: Russell's performance art.
- Who Names Their Kid "Dude"?: Sookie asks this to Igby, who then immediately turns it around on her.
