Liberal Arts [DVD]

This film is absolutely wonderful. It manages to be at once very very funny, in a WoodyAllen-ish kind of way, very witty, intellectually stimulating and extremely moving. In my opinion Josh Radnor, whose film it is in more ways than one, is a genius. The acting at all levels is quite outstanding, even the smaller parts. (Watch out for Allison Janney's 'Professor Fairfield' and Zac Effron's 'Nat'.) I came across the film completely by accident on a long flight from the Gulf and then I watched it twice, in the course of my journey.

This is an interesting and entertaining enough film but it is not particularly especial and I dont believe there would be much rewatch value in it.

It resonated a lot with me, having loved my time in college and empathised with the lead character in his opportunity to revisit college life, the pace, plot and characters, acting are all fine but I am not sure yet about what the main themes where. As a result it can be satisfying enough watching these characters and their mundane trials and tribulations but its much like watching a TV drama or soap opera.

Our protagonist is featured first in a series of scenes which indicate he is not exactly thrilled with is post-college life as some sort of student or careers advisor, he is called by a lecturer who is leaving the college and would like a favourite student to be in attendence at his leaving dinner, he returns to the college scene, involving himself with a young woman who is at the college, helping a troubled student who he sees reading a book he recalled from his college days and has an abortive affair with one of his favourite former lecturers.

There is dialogue throughout, the retiring lecturer preparing to leave and then having second thoughts, the doomed "romance" based upon a sense of connection from shared interests and exchanged letters, the admired lecturer proving to be less enamoured with the liberal arts subjects she teaches than her former pupil, which all, perhaps, support a theme of losing illusions and personal growth. Moving on and coming to a realisation that you "cant go back" to former happy states but can only remember them as such. Although this is supported by our protagonist going on to form a relationship with someone outside of the college scene context but with the same interests in literature that he has this is only really speculation since it is never made that explicit.

I would not characterise this as a "chick flick" and I'm not sure that its about finding love or relationships either per se, it is an entertaining enough feature and I suspect is going to appeal more to people whose own fond memories of college/university or liberal arts studies spark an interest in it in the first place. A good option if you are looking for something different from the average action, horror or thriller film and TV choices though.

This is a delightful and charming film about college and the yearning for youth. Josh Radnor has written a lovely script with several moving characters. But it's Elizabeth Olsen who elevates to movie from average to very good. Her portrait of the 19 year old sophomore Zibby is awesome. Zibby is the perfect girl in any mans dreams and still believable. Zibby is a an old soul in a young body. But now and then her inexperience with life shows. A truely great acting performance by Elizabeth Olsen. Watch out for her in the future.