(2013) [Trailer]
Director: James Ponsoldt [IMDB]
I've been consistently seeing The Spectacular Now popping up in many peoples best of the year lists. It has also garnered a lot of attention in the film festival circuits. I figured... I like a nice indie drama as much as the next guy, why not?
Synopsis: A party bro falls for a nice sweet girl and deals with the pitfalls of exiting high school.
I only wish I could have gotten piss drunk, passed out on a lawn, woken up to, and fallen in love with a girl like Shailene Woodley when I was a senior in high school. Actually, that's not true at all, I was straight edge my senior year and I had a girlfriend, but still... this guy is one lucky bastard.... or is he? See that? That's me throwing a curveball at you, mixing up a little mystery into the pot.
Following the story of Sutter (the protagonist) was amusing and entertaining. The Spectacular Now takes notes from Cameron Crowe and John Hughes, but it has its own spin on the coming of age genre flick, which worked for me. People perceive themselves a certain way in high school, and what you think are, others may not agree with. That aspect and the understanding of what you want out of life are complex things that Spectacular does a great job capitalizing on. Miles Teller and Shailene Woodley's chemistry was solid and I was psyched seeing Kyle Chandler in there... gotta love Coach Taylor.
Above all things, The Spectacular Now felt real to me, that believability makes it worth your time alone. It's not top ten material, but still worth a poke.
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