Liberal Arts
When 30-something Jesse returns to his alma mater for a professor's retirement party, he falls for Zibby, a college student, and is faced with a powerful attraction that springs up between them.
Director:
Josh Radnor
Cast:
Josh Radnor, Elizabeth Olsen, Zac Efron
Screenplay:
Josh Radnor
Screening Date:
Sep 08, 2012
| Excellent | Very Good | Good | Fair | Poor |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 41.7% | 30.6% | 16.7% | 8.3% | 2.8% |
“Charming script that explores many of the emotions college students embrace.”
“Rhythm of film seemed a little slow. Should have shortened most scenes. Best part of film was the last 15 minutes from break up with Elizabeth and Jesse and former professor.”
“Proves you really can’t go home again. I wanted to like it more. I don’t know why I didn’t. The acting was very good. It was bittersweet and predictable. It did have a European sensibility. Best line: ‘It’s too bad Norman Mailer is dead – you’d be great for each other.’ There wasn’t enough of a development of Peter’s (the professor’s) character. After his interview of course he’ll have to learn to move on. It was a sweet movie.”
“Loved it! As a music lover, what a great advocate for a great art, not to mention the promotion of great literature. I will recommend it to all my teachers and students. Josh Radnor is multi-talented!”
“A very feel good movie with serious subjects underlying the entire story.”
“Charming and lovely.”
“This movie is brilliant, in sharp contrast to PEACE LOVE AND MISUNDERSTANDING. Hard to believe it comes from the same place.”
"Wonderful film."
“I enjoyed this film very much. The characters and plot were well developed. What I truly liked, however was the message: the liberal arts are wonderful even in a world where job skills are becoming more and more necessary.”
“Loved this film for its intelligence and treatment of characters, its empathy and values. But I just couldn’t buy the ending. While philosophically it is the grown-up path for Jesse to follow.”
“Some of this was a little obvious, the too-young love, the too-old love and then the age-appropriate love. On the plus side it had some great lines, my favorite: ‘Too bad Norman Mailer is dead, you too would have been perfect for each other’ and it showed that what you learned and what you learned to love in college affects the person you become. It was a gentle film that I liked better than my two friends in the theater.”
“It’s a film for all generations.”
“A new genre has been created - the coming of age of 35 year old men.”
“The best part of this movie was Allison Janney.”
“Sweet smart film, wonderful casting and great soundtrack and wonderful screenplay. Loved the fact that literary references are woven through the film.”
“Loved the screenplay and the movie. Wonderful, realistic, witty and moving. I want a CD with that music!”
“Loved it. Just like my favorite friends. Makes me want to jump in a car and go visit campuses again.”
“Great casting. Nice story. Enjoyed the variety of music used. Elizabeth Olson is delightful and has a great future.”
“Loved this film.”
“Some of the dialogue was very good, but some of it was rather sophomoric. I had difficulty following it because of continuity.”
“Loved it. Literary and musical references were so intelligent and interesting. Every age and professional choice brings challenges and unknowns. Sad how the older professors were more negative about their lives and where they are now. Youth seems filled with possibilities. The seasoned professors saw no new possibilities and were jaded.”
“I didn’t want to like this film, but I ended up loving it. Literary and smart and compelling. In addition to a great script there was great well-modulated acting and wonderful cinematography.”
“The film was smart. It had a European sensibility. I loved the fact that Elizabeth and Josh’s girlfriend were very natural looking. “
“It was delightful and well written.”
“I love books. I am a librarian. I feel good about getting older.”
“As a music teacher we need more of this!”
“Wonderful coming of age film for all, at different ages and stages of life.”
“A very smart, well put together movie. As a college student I was rooting for Jesse’s relationship with Zibby, but the progression of his growth brought home the lessons and morals of the story.”
“Did not enjoy the movie at all. It was great to see Kate Burton; she’s a great actress. The storyline of the movie was not very clear.”
"Not getting on with Olson? Is he nuts?”
“Very smart with terrific acting.”
“Good dialogue. Characters quite believable. A bit slow.”
“A coming of age story across different generations. A little slow moving, but interesting asides about academics.”
“Smart film. Didn’t go to every predictable turn. Appreciated all the character’s values in life.”
“Funny and relatable”
“What a surprise! A charming heartfelt movie about growing up no matter how old we are. And a movie about college life that not only doesn’t include sex, drug and rock n roll but promotes books, classical music and even opera!”
“Here’s why I was disappointed with the ending, although I still liked the film, Zibby is much too likable a character to not end up with Jesse. Shes so smart and so mature that the age difference became irrelevant. Yes, I could see the book shop girl coming a mile away but Zibby was just so cool a character.”
If you'd like to know more about the film...
Here’s an interview with Josh Radnor! He goes into depth with the cast experience with Elizabeth Olsen and other actors. You get more insight on the creation process behind this film and what it was like shooting back at his Alma Mater.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0wahQ9RoF04&feature=related
This link is a Q & A with Sundance.org and Director Josh Radnor. He answers questions about presenting the film in London and how people there perceived it. More importantly he answers a couple of questions about the books that were referred/inferred to in the film and also the music he chose to use throughout the movie.
http://www.sundance.org/stories/article/liberal-arts-Josh-Radnor-Takes-U... Scenes-of-His-Sundance-London/
Here’s a review I found:
http://weblogs.thecwdc.com/entertainment/movies/willie-waffle/2012/09/li...
