Sir Ben Kingsley has turned in some startling performances in his illustrious career, from his Oscar-winning lead role in Gandhi to a terrifying turn in Sexy Beast.

The veteran British actor is certainly not slowing down, with three films receiving Premieres at this year's Festival - Elegy, Transsiberian and The Wackness.

The latter was a huge hit at Sundance, scooping the Audience Award and displaying, yet again, Kingsley's chameleon-like abilities.

A coming-of-age tale set in 1994, it centres around the growing pains of troubled teen Luke (Mean Creek's Josh Peck), who turns to psychiatrist Dr. Squires (Kingsley) for advice.

The mid-90's setting allows the teens to roll out the now cringe-worthy, hip-hop inspired slang of the period, leading to some sharp exchanges.

While Squires is happy to dole out dubious advice ("You don't need medication, you need to get laid."), gloomy Luke reciprocates by keeping the doctor in 'green'.

The sight of Kingsley as a doped-up-doc, salaciously slavering over girls young enough to be his granddaughter, is shocking and, well, inspires some hilarity.

The buddies become unstuck, however, when Luke turns his amorous attentions to Squires' stepdaughter (Olivia Thirlby), leading to a seismic shift in their relationship.

Can the Doc resolve his own marital problems and finally grow up, while Luke loosens up?

Described by Variety as a 'dramedy' in the vein of EIFF award-winner Thumbsucker, it's easy to see why it was such a huge hit as Sundance, and represents a 'considerable leap forward' for second-time director Jonathan Levine, following 2006's well received, off-beat horror flick, All the Boys Love Mandy Lane.

It would, indeed, be fair to say that The Wackness is 'dope'.

The Wackness is screening on 20 and 21 June at Cineworld.