By: debbie lynn elias
Can’t get enough of Brie Larson or Kaitlyn Dever at Los Angeles Film Festival 2013? Looking for more of rising star Miles Teller? See a completely different side of all three as they join Shailene Woodley in THE SPECTACULAR NOW, a wonderful coming of age story that deals with alcoholism, fractured families and friendship.
Set during the final weeks of high school, Teller stars as the uber-popular Sutter. Caring deeply about his friends, but caring more about drinking 24/7 than his grades and always living in the “Spectacular Now”, Sutter may be in a for a rude awakening come graduation day. Dumped by his girlfriend Cassidy played by Larson, the real story begins when Sutter is found by classmate Aimee Finicky, passed out drunk on someone’s front lawn. Shy and a loner, Aimee has never circled in Sutter’s orbit and is surprised that he knows who she is and that he wants to hang out with her. What starts out as a means for Sutter to try and make Cassidy jealous, develops into a deep, meaningful and insightful relationship with Aimee that really explores what lies beneath the skin. Of course, although Sutter develops real feelings for Aimee, he needs her to share in his “Spectacular Now” moments and soon has her following him down the alcoholic path of destruction.
Supporting the main storyline is the subtext of single parenting and familial fracture with touching and effective performances by Jennifer Jason Leigh as Sutter’s mother, Kyle Chandler as his absentee father who also lives in the “Spectacular Now” and Mary Elizabeth Winstead who reteams with her Smashed director Ponsoldt, now as Sutter’s sister Holly.
James Ponsoldt, who helmed the startlingly honest and meaningful Smashed last year which also addressed the issue of alcoholism, continues his ascent as a director with THE SPECTACULAR NOW. Never heavy-handed with his messaging, he has a light touch that allows the reality and honesty of a situation play out with all its complexities. Avoiding cliches, characters are similarly emotionally complex, propelling the film forward with resonating truth.
A spectacular coming-of-age film that is thoughtful and moving filled with charm, sweetness, truth and honesty, THE SPECTACULAR NOW is a “Must See”.
Written and Directed by James Ponsoldt
Cast: Miles Teller, Shailene Woodley, Brie Larson, Kaitlyn Dever, Mary Elizabeth Winstead
