It seems a bit premature to be making period pieces about 1994, but after watching the indie drama "The Wackness," that innocent time never felt so far away.

In 1994, Whitney Houston was the most popular singer in the world. "Friends" debuted on TV. There was a baseball strike that wiped out the World Series. O.J. Simpson was running away from the cops.

And in New York, there was an underground hip-hop scene brewing despite Rudy Giuliani's (successful) efforts to clean up Times Square. This is the setting for director Jonathan Levine's excellent coming-of-age movie.

As much as it's a loving look back at early-'90s music and trends, the film is the tale of Luke, played by Josh Peck (the chubby kid from Nickelodeon's "Drake & Josh"). Luke's a high school drug dealer with a big circle of clients but a nonexistent circle of friends.

If Luke's invited to a party, it's only to provide the pot.

So he walks around New York with his Walkman (remember those?) and his imagination, which comes to life in scenes like one in which girls on the subway break out in a dance.

When Luke does talk, it's mostly to a free-spirited psychiatrist, Dr. Squires, played by a very hairy Ben Kingsley. Dr. Squires pays for his drugs by giving Luke free therapy sessions.

They talk about love and life and boredom. They talk about taking chances and following their hearts.

What Luke doesn't talk about is that he's got a crush on Dr. Squire's stepdaughter, Stephanie. She's a rich and popular girl who gives Luke attention only because her friends have left the sweltering city for their exotic summer destinations.

Stephanie is the kind of smart, beautiful and intriguing high school girl who gets ignored by mainstream movies in favor of the ditzy blonde or the over-the-top nerd. And Olivia Thirlby, who held her own as the best friend in "Juno," shines in this role.

She brings Luke out of his numbed stupor and throws him into the exhilarating and messy world of teenaged love. In contrast, Dr. Squires is becoming aware that these intense emotions are missing from his cold marriage.

There's a lot going on in this complex movie, and sometimes it's difficult to believe that a high school kid would really get himself in these types of situations. Like the night Luke goes out drinking with Dr. Squires and ends up partying with a stoned-out hippie chick, played sort-of-convincingly by Mary-Kate Olsen.

But even with some over-the-top moments, "The Wackness" sweeps you up in its nostalgic sweetness. The soundtrack is classic hip-hop and includes songs by Notorious B.I.G., KRS-One and Wu-Tang Clan.

And then there's a scene in which Luke gets a view of the New York skyline, which includes the World Trade Center, and that's when it hits you that 1994 really was a long time ago.

"The Wackness." Rated: R. Running time: 1 hour, 41 minutes. 3 1/2 stars.

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To find out more about Nina Garin and read features by other Creators Syndicate writers and cartoonists, visit the Creators Syndicate website at www.creators.com.

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