Movies 153B: The Art of Getting By

Perhaps you haven't had a chance to get in a New York state of mind lately with so many comic book heroes coming to life on the screen. I wouldn't dare say this is a youth in revolt sort of film, either. Even if Freddie Highmore comes off just a wee bit Michael Cera, yet there is that sort of Nicholas Hoult charm about him too. I don't think anyone else could have pulled off this role of George, but Freddie Highmore.

He's a fatalist at heart. He knows girls don't get him. And he's OK with that. While other seniors are fighting their way to get their chances into the right Universities, there is George who cuts class and never finishes an assignment. And then he does something nice one day for a girl, Sally Howe played by Emma Roberts..which changes everything.

The film is written and directed by Gavin Wiesen who has said he wanted to show us his New York City for a very long time. And he does it splendid through the scenery of different hues of moods and the cool atmosphere and soundtrack of the movie. He also shows George's world and the outside world, as well.

The storyline is much like John Green's Paper Towns. Boy finds friend. Maybe possibly more than friend even while his home life is slowly falling apart. There are twists at that. George is befriended by Michael Angarano's Dustin who is an artist trying to make a living in New York City. But can he trust this friend around Sally?

Michael's pretty darn adorable in this film.

Some great performances from the supporting cast. Alicia Silverstone as his English teacher was definitely teacher worthy (I don't even think she wore make up). Sasha Speilberg came off as if she could be Lea Michelle's popular cousin. Rita Wilson is George's compassionate mother while Twilight's Elizabeth Reaser plays Sally's zany mom.

It might be hard to catch the subtle-ness of this movie. Because so many movies would over look George's strength. Yet, Freddie Highmore does it with such a sincerity. It is the sleeper of the summer.

STORYLINE: Believing the quote that you are born alone, die alone and everything else is an illusion, George doesn't see the point of life, school, or homework. Then he meets Sally and he now has a reason to go to school and make friends, even if he's not ready to admit to himself or to her that he likes her. The school's principal and art teacher introduce him to an alumni, and successful artist, Dustin, who can help guide George along life's path, but other distractions start surfacing, and George might not even be able to graduate from high school.

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8/10 * Because its my kind of movie =). I had to get the soundtrack to this film, too.