Igby Goes Down | Affluent Angst

Season 21, Episode 4

This week on Forgotten Cinema, we take a trip back to the early 2000s with Igby Goes Down, a film that was lauded at the time for its snarky wit and indie spirit. But as we quickly learned…not everything ages like fine wine.

Igby Goes Down follows the misadventures of a young misfit (Kieran Culkin) who’s rebelling against his privileged upbringing. He’s joined by a stacked cast: Jeff Goldblum’s sleazy godfather, Susan Sarandon’s icy mother, and Claire Danes as the love interest who can’t seem to decide if she’s saving or sinking Igby.

And while these performances still hold up, we found ourselves a little less enchanted by the film’s trust fund angst this time around. There’s something about aimless rebellion that feels less sympathetic when it’s set in luxury townhouses and art galleries. The film’s biting humor and nihilistic tone may have been the perfect fit for the early 2000s, but watching it now, the charm didn’t fully translate.

That said, there’s still plenty to discuss. From the film’s snappy dialogue to the way it skewers (and sometimes wallows in) its own privilege, the movie is a fascinating snapshot of a particular era in indie filmmaking.

Check out our full conversation, where we break down the film’s themes, share some behind-the-scenes trivia, and figure out if Igby’s going down or if we’re just over it.

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