The Spectacular Now

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.