Freddie Highmore stars as George - an obviously talented and smart teen kid in Manhattan who goes to a private prep school, but he's determined not to do an ounce of work. While everything is not all that fantastic at home, George tries to skate through life without making any connections, until he runs into the cute girl who seems to have life by the tail, Sally (Emma Roberts). Of course, the two hit it off as Sally draws George out of his shell, but have they found true love?
Even if they have, does either have the courage to take that step?
Can George handle Sally?
The Art of Getting By lacks all of the pretention you expect, and has some of the emotion you didn't. Writer/director Gavin Wiesen is a great example of how less is more as he pulls back from trying to do too much and lets the audience take in the kids' senior year along with all of its ups and downs. Most of all, Wiesen makes everyone in the audience wonder what is really holding George and Sally back.
Is it that George doesn't care? Is it a fear of failure and rejection that causes him to run away? Did something hurt him in the past?
You have to watch the movie to get the answers to those questions, but I do love the chemistry between Roberts and Highmore. She needs to turn up the emotion a bit more, but it mostly feels right as Sally is supposed to be as unemotional, detached and afraid as George at times.
The Art of Getting By drags as we move towards the big climax, and goes back and forth too many times before the ultimate conclusion, but it might be the most real love story of its time.
3 Waffles (Out of 4)
The Art of Getting By is rated PG-13 for thematic elements including sexual content, language, teen drinking and partying
Can George handle Sally?
The Art of Getting By lacks all of the pretention you expect, and has some of the emotion you didn't. Writer/director Gavin Wiesen is a great example of how less is more as he pulls back from trying to do too much and lets the audience take in the kids' senior year along with all of its ups and downs. Most of all, Wiesen makes everyone in the audience wonder what is really holding George and Sally back.
Is it that George doesn't care? Is it a fear of failure and rejection that causes him to run away? Did something hurt him in the past?
You have to watch the movie to get the answers to those questions, but I do love the chemistry between Roberts and Highmore. She needs to turn up the emotion a bit more, but it mostly feels right as Sally is supposed to be as unemotional, detached and afraid as George at times.
The Art of Getting By drags as we move towards the big climax, and goes back and forth too many times before the ultimate conclusion, but it might be the most real love story of its time.
3 Waffles (Out of 4)
The Art of Getting By is rated PG-13 for thematic elements including sexual content, language, teen drinking and partying
