"Liberal Arts" follows thirty something Jesse (Josh Radnor), who is a bit lost in an unfulfilling job in New York City and recently dumped by his girlfriend when a former professor (Richard Jenkins) calls and invites him back to his alma mater in Ohio for his retirement dinner. During his visit to campus, Jesse is overcome with nostalgia for his college days. He meets a sophomore, Zibby (Elizabeth Olsen), who becomes his pen pal and somewhat romantic interest despite his misgivings over the age difference between them. When Jesse returns to campus the second time to specifically visit Zibby he begins to see how he has grown since college and find the joy in post-college life.
This film is understated but an unexpected treat. Radnor is famous for his TV role in "How I Met Your Mother" but he demonstrates his more dramatic chops here as the sensitive and striving Jesse. I liked Olsen as the precocious Zibby, who wants to almost fast-forward time to catch up to Jesse and the version of herself she sees she'll be in the future post-college. This movie is really a must-rent for anyone who has had those nostalgic feelings about the good-old-days in college when things were "simplier." The audience really sees Jesse struggle with his memories of carefree college and yearning for those times when post-college seems more complicated and less interesting. There's some good supporting acting from Allison Janney, who is Jesse's favorite former professor who turned him on to romantic literature but he finds out she's hardly a romantic herself when they run into each other during his campus visits. The most surprising thing about this movie is a small role where Zac Efron, best known for "High School Musical" plays "Nat" a hippie student character who turns up and offers very helpful advice to Jesse when he needs it most. I hope this is the beginning of different roles for Efron other than teen heartthrob parts because I liked him in this film.
As I mentioned, this one is understated and more drama than comedy for sure. Very different than Radnor's TV role so his usual fans may be disappointed but those who like well-acted and thoughtful drama will appreciate it. B+
No comments:
Post a Comment