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Liberal Arts, Movie

Liberal Arts 2012

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Sometimes students make the best teachers.

Written, directed and starring Josh Radnor from How I Met Your Mother, this coming-of-age drama follows a mid-thirties bookworm who forms a semi-romantic bond with a 19-year-old college student (Elizabeth Olsen). More

Newly single, 35, and uninspired by his job, Jesse (Radnor) worries that his best days are behind him. When his old college professor invites him to campus to speak at his retirement dinner, Jesse jumps at the chance. He is prepared for the nostalgia of the dining halls and dorm rooms, the parties and poetry seminars; what he doesn’t see coming is Zibby (Olsen) - a beautiful, precocious, classical-music-loving sophomore. Zibby awakens long-dormant feelings of possibility and connection that Jesse thought he had buried forever. Hide

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36 votes / 7 comments The Talk

  • 83 %

    Want to See it

    What say you?

    • Tamwise

      Saw it at the film festival today, it wasn't exactly what I was expecting but I still enjoyed seeing Radnor in a different role.

    • The Film Critc

      worth a look

    • Wolfgang

      looks cute

    • Alice

      Dammit Ted!

    • Trevor

      Wonder if that's the mother :)

    • Lou

      Very cool to see HIMYM leading to other projects

    • BE.BE.

      YES A GO FOR ME I WOULD LIKE TO IT

  • CARE TO COMMENT?

    Want to see it?

 

Flicks.co.nz Review

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James Croot Flicks Writer

A lament for the loss of book-loving, a paen to the dying art of letter writing -there is a lot to like about Josh Radnor’s amiable university rom-com. Most of the allure comes from the quirky charms of the increasingly impressive Elizabeth Olsen (here looking like a young Vera Farmiga), who now surely is rivaling Jennifer Lawrence as Hollywood’s best young actress. More

But for all the witty conversations, delightful meet cutes and intelligent campus comedy (just compare this to 21 and Over, which was more Animal Farm than Animal House) there’s actually a strange sense of deja vu about this pre-mid-life-male-crisis and kooky-love-interest-to-put-things-into-perspective tale. It’s as if the noughties never happened as we’re transported back to the premise of Garden State and Elizabethtown only with a wider age gap (let’s be thankful this isn’t a rehash of Autumn in New York everyone) and college backdrop.

On the plus side, a beardy Radnor (sporting the Affleck look du jour) is a likeable enough lead, while indie vets Richard Jenkins and Allison Janney threaten to steal the show as a professor struggling to deal with retirement and a Mrs Robinson-esque cougar respectively. Liberal laughs are guaranteed but memorable it ain’t. Hide

The People's Reviews

Rating:

2 ratings and 2 reviews

All reviews (2)

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I was set to hate it but ...

freshdude Flicks Superstar (?)

I saw the trailer for this and thought it was going to be another fluffy number made for dumb Americans. Was I glad to find out I was wrong. To my surprise I felt involved and absorbed in the story and even had a few laughs ... I actually really, really liked this flick !
Most of the dialogue is very well written and the acting is impeccable with far from shallow characters ( supporting cast included).
To me, this movie was just right : not too shallow but not too deep either, and full of observations on the disappointments, ironies and alienations of the human experience, regardless of our age.

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Went straight to my Top Ten

Captain-Ryan Wannabe (?)

I saw this at the international film festival last year, partially by accident -which was wonderful because it turned out this is possibly my favourite romantic comedy/drama ever. I loved Radnor's Happythankyoumoreplease, and I don't want to compare the two but if you liked that, you'll hopefully love this.

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Press Reviews

Chicago Sun-Times (Roger Ebert)

It's the kind of film that appeals powerfully to me; to others, maybe not so much. Full review.

Empire (UK)

Strong writing, great performances (Olsen is the real deal) and a touching, upbeat tale for the big-brained and big-hearted. Full review.

Guardian (UK)

Despite a misjudged ending, Liberal Arts is a decent, heart-on-the-sleeve movie; it pays its audience the compliment of treating us like intelligent people. Full review.

Hollywood Reporter

A coming-of-middle-age comedy running on somewhat less than a full tank. Full review.

Little White Lies (UK)

You'd do well to take the film's advice: read a book instead. Full review.

Los Angeles Times

A light and lively comedy of manners about college, literature and a midlife crisis that hits earlier than expected. Full review.

New York Times

The harder Mr. Radnor strains to make you love his alter ego, the more resistant you become. Full review.

Variety (USA)

Perilously close to widescreen sitcom. Full review.