AllMovie

Mike Mills' unique filmmaking style was first showcased in short works such commercials for Nike, Levi's, and Volkswagen, and music videos for acts like Moby and Air. He also put his graphic art style to work in promotional materials and album cover art for The Beastie Boys and Ol' Dirty Bastard. Mills eventually made his feature-film debut with 2005's Thumbsucker. The poignant and humorous coming-of-age story centered around a high-school senior coming to terms with both his and his parents' fallibility, as well as his long-standing thumb-sucking habit. Mills' opening effort garnered serious praise and comparisons were quickly made to directors such as Jim Jarmusch and Woody Allen.