I first found out about The Art Of Getting By when I read about it in the Cineworld magazine. Notoriously biased towards every film it features, I always take what I read in there with a pinch of salt. But as I like the people involved in the film it was enough to pique my interest. Don't get me wrong, I don't own any Emma Robers movies, I wouldn't go that far, but I have enjoyed previous performances from both Roberts and her co-star Freddie Highmore. And teamed with an interesting premise it had potential. Enough to make me see the film without seeing so much as a trailer.
*Synopsis contains some spoilers*
The film tells the story of George (Freddie Highmore), a teenager in his last year of high school who for all his smarts, just can't do the work. He claims this is because he's depressed but his teachers just think he's lazy. Then George meets Sally (Emma Roberts), a girl who can see from his point of view but who also shows him the light. They're "just friends" though it's clear George would like there to be something more between them. Sally on the other hand, likes what they have as friends and is clearly not interested in taking things to the next level. She makes this clear to George by dating his mentor Dustin (Michael Angarano). Just when George thinks life can't get any worse he's told to make up a years worth of homework or he won't graduate. The snag is that graduation is a mere 3 weeks away.
I don't generally like giving that much away in a synopsis, but so little happens in The Art Of Getting By that it's hard to describe the film without telling you everything that happens. That's not to say I gave everything away, or that the fact that this is a slow burner is a bad thing. Everything moves so fast these days that sometimes it's nice to just sit in a cinema on a cold and damp Sunday afternoon and mull things over. Things like the meaning of life and death, unrequited love and betrayal.
My problem with The Art Of Getting By is that it feels like an amalgamation of a lot of other films I've already seen. And films which ultimately handled the subject matter in a better way. My example would be another Emma Roberts movie that I saw earlier this year, It's Kind Of A Funny Story. I think that handled the subject matter of teenagers dealing with real life issues such as depression in a much more real (and funnier) way.
As I said, it's not to say that The Art Of Getting By is a bad film, it is a well made film which showcases good performances from the two young leads, as well as a solid supporting cast. It's just not great. It's not life changing. And it probably won't stay with you for very long after you've left the cinema.
A disappointingly average 6 out of 10.
Viewing Date - 4th September 2011
UK Release Date - 2nd September 2011
Cast Overview:
Freddie Highmore ~ George
Emma Roberts ~ Sally
Sasha Spielberg ~ Zoe
Marcus Carl Franklin ~ Will
Blair Underwood ~ Principle Martinson
Rita Wilson ~ Vivian (George's mother)
Elizabeth Reaser ~ Charlotte (Sally's mother)
Sam Robards ~ Jack (George's step-father)
Alicia Silverstone ~ Ms Herman
Michael Angarano ~ Dustin
Director/Writer ~ Gavin Wiesen
No comments:
Post a Comment