Directed by:
James PonsoldtCinematography:
Jess HallComposer:
Rob SimonsenCast:
Miles Teller, Shailene Woodley, Brie Larson, Masam Holden, Dayo Okeniyi, Kyle Chandler, Jennifer Jason Leigh, Nicci Faires, Andre Royo, Bob Odenkirk (more)Plots(1)
With sly humor and an intensity of feeling, THE SPECTACULAR NOW (directed by James Ponsoldt) creates a vivid, three- dimensional portrait of youth confronting the funny, thrilling and perilous business of modern love and adulthood. This is the tale of Sutter Keely (Miles Teller), a high school senior and effortless charmer, and of how he unexpectedly falls in love with "the good girl" Aimee Finecky (Shailene Woodley). What starts as an unlikely romance, becomes a sharp-eyed, straight-up snapshot of the heady confusion and haunting passion of youth – one that doesn't look for tidy truths. The film was written by Scott Neustadter and Michael Weber (500) DAYS OF SUMMER and also features wonderful supporting turns from Brie Larson, Kyle Chandler, Jennifer Jason Leigh, and Mary Elizabeth Winstead. (A24)
(more)Reviews (3)
I must say that for a classic American independent movie, I learned a lot. Because it’s not just a classic encounter of two people. Actually, those who have seen the movie know that there’s nothing classic about it. I even suspect that the author believes in destiny, because it’s present from the beginning till the end. The movie’s only luck is the fact that its worldview isn’t depressing, quite the opposite. Because emotionally, I wouldn’t have managed that. But from this point of view, it’s a very interesting movie. It’s very important that you like the actors, especially Miles Teller. You certainly won’t enjoy the story without forming some sort of a connection with them.
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The best coming-of-age movie of the year, and with pretty solid competition. I had to find my way to the protagonists because none of them felt naturally likeable, but they won me over in the end. Their suffering, desires and trauma are very realistic, tangible and familiar (in comparison with the little too hipster The Perks of Being and Wallflower from last year). Otherwise, do not expect many jokes, romance and sunshine, this film follows mainly the dramatic lines. And also, after a long time a film with nice songs to listen during the end credits, while thinking about the meaning of the ending. I’m a pessimist. It’s fine to just live in the now. But the best part of the now is that there‘s another one tomorrow.
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Okay. I thought it would be boring and that it would be cliché, but the actors simply nailed it. Incredibly believable performances and a great romance, spoiled only by that ugly world out there. But that's what it is. This film shows that "little jokes" sometimes aren't all fun and games; sometimes you have to go through personal crap to come out of it in the end.
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