For this blogger – a child of the ‘80’s – "The
Spectacular Now" took me back to the days of John Cusack and his boom box. Miles
Teller reminds me so much of a young Cusack – does anyone else get that?
This theme has been done a million times…think Pretty
In Pink, Sixteen Candles, The Breakfast Club; all the movies I loved as a teen
and later shared with my own teens as they were finding their way. I imagine The Spectacular Now just made the list.
Rated R for alcohol use, language and some sexuality - all involving teens
95 Minutes
The movie centers on two teens in stereotypical
roles; popular party boy falls for girl
next door (who no one even knows.) He
saves her….oh wait…she saves him?
I am proud of the writers (who also brought us 500 Days of
Summer).
They show alcoholism for what
it really is. A thief who robs children of the fathers, and youth of
her innocence. It’s a rare movie that can
make the viewer aware of an issue without making you depressed about it. Even the “first time” scene isn’t made out to
be dramatic and awful. It’s light
hearted – not just a drunk boy taking advantage of a
drunk girl. It’s two young people happy
to share this big step with one another.
It’s beautiful.
Shailene Woodley (beautiful wearing no makeup in the
entire film) gives us yet another Oscar worthy performance. (Remember her from The Descendants a few years back). She brings just the right amount of innocence
to her role.
The scene that made the movie for me? The exchange between Sutter and his boss. His boss (Bob Odenkirk) tells him he needs to
stop drinking or lose his job, Sutter
doesn’t hesitate to tell him he can’t stop drinking. He just quits his
job. “I guess if I were your father I’d begin
lecturing you now,” his boss tells him. “If YOU were my father you wouldn’t
have to,” is Sutter’s reply. Gut
wrenching.
Kyle Chandler gives us a fantastic performance as
Sutter’s alcoholic, absentee Father and a nearly unrecognizable Jennifer Jason
Leigh plays his mother.
I read online today The Spectacular Now was shot in only 25 days and the actors had met only
minutes before shooting some intimate, emotional scenes That is hard to believe. These characters all seem completely invested
in each other. The Sundance Film Festival agreed - awarding the film a special Jury Prize for Acting.
I didn’t’ feel 100% in love with this movie, but I got
it. I appreciated it. There was one shocking moment I thought the writers had gone too far, and judging by the collective gasp of the
movie-goers in my theater, they agreed.
It was at that moment I realized I was pretty invested in this
movie after all. It’s tricky that way. Proceed with Caution.
