Indie Gems: The Spectacular Now

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Teenage Drama

I feel like I'm getting too old to enjoy movies centered around teenagers and high school. I just don't have any interest in them anymore, but something about The Spectacular Now felt different, and after reading so many positive reviews, I decided to check it out.

Sutter (Miles Teller, with a voice that eerily sounds like Jonah Hill's) has just been dumped by his girlfriend. Cassidy (Brie Larson, who looks way to old to be a teenager) Even though he's only 18, he's well on his way to being a budding alcoholic. He passes out in the middle of a neighborhood and his classmate Aimee(Shailene Woodley) find him on her paper route. She's shy, they've never spoken, but Sutter decides he wants to help Aimee with her self esteem (all while trying to get Cassidy back) and they fall into a relationship.

Shailene Woodley is proving to be a hell of an actress. It's actually quite amazing to watch her, especially after seeing her on Secret Life, where the writing was to terrible it made EVERYONE on that show look bad. Unlike other films of the genre, this one felt just a bit more real. Sutter isn't a hot jock, and Aimee isn't a gawky nerd. No one wore makeup, and the only thing that felt extraordinary to me was how these underage kids kept ending up in bars. 

The ending leaves you with a lot of questions, but I thought that was welcomed commentary. This film was quite interesting, despite me not really being able to relate to either character at this point in my life. It was a sweet little film, and a must watch for fans of Woodley.

Grade: B

Memorable Quote: "I'll stand up to my mom if you stand up to yours." - Aimee (Shailene Woodley)

Comments

  1. Candice FrederickFebruary 7, 2014 at 6:56 PM

    yeah, I feel the same way about teen films. I think there are just so many right now that I'm feeling really overwhelmed by them, and disconnected. I also don't think this was particularly an engrossing film or story. The acting was decent, but it didn't stick with me. There wasn't really anything fresh here either.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Brittani BurnhamFebruary 8, 2014 at 5:58 PM

      I think we're getting old. lol. That's why I normally can't handle teen movies.

      Delete
  2. Gina GaoFebruary 7, 2014 at 10:49 PM

    This was a fairly decent film. I agree with Candice: there are so many teen movies out there now.

    ReplyDelete
  3. Lights Camera ReactionFebruary 16, 2014 at 1:43 PM

    Glad you liked it! Shailene Woodley was absolutely remarkable here. She is proving just what a talented young actress she is giving such a natural and real performance, where every moment feels genuine.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Brittani BurnhamFebruary 17, 2014 at 7:20 PM

      She definitely shines when she's given good material.

      Delete
  4. JoshFebruary 27, 2014 at 5:05 PM

    I loved this, though it doesn't have a lasting impact. I couldn't even find room for it on my awards ballot.

    ReplyDelete

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