The Art of Getting By

[superhero]

Looks interesting:

The Art of Getting By is a charming of age drama which follows withdrawn teen George (Freddie Highmore). George is a Woody Allen-esque deep thinker who never really applies himself to any aspect of his life and merely gets by. This soon changes when he meets Sally (Emma Roberts), a beautiful girl at his school who takes an interest in him and their friendship soon blossoms. After problems with Sally, his schoolwork and his parents, George soon learns he must act is he wants to find happiness.

What really separates The Art of Getting By from other recent coming of age comedies how George is a far more intelligent character. It’s extremely refreshing to have a teenage male character whose interests extend beyond just getting drunk and ‘getting laid’ like the boys from The Inbetweeners. He instead wants to become comfortable in his own skin and gain the confidence he needs to pursue his love of art. Freddie Highmore is perfectly charming in the role, and despite playing a very self obsessed character he shows a vulnerability that is easy to sympathise with. Emma Roberts is also well cast as George’s love interest and Red State’s Michael Angarano plays is the Artist George admires. Roberts has really come along way in the last couple of years and may even emulate her Aunt’s success, stealing the limelight in both this and Scream 4.

Over sentimentality is the only factor that really lets down the film. Although starting off as a quirky comedy like Juno, it soon falls pray to cliche. Any moments of real emotion are ruined by the thudding indie soundtrack which really detracts alot from the performances, and makes several segments seem more like mediocre music videos.

Despite this The Art of Getting By is the perfect antidote for those fed up with teen gross-out comedies, and is a great feel good movie.

[platining]

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1645080/

[EthanRunt]

I was surprised early July to go into a screening of this and be told that not only does my review have to be up only on the week of release, but that I couldn't tweet, facebook, anything prior to that either. Questionable behaviour. Will it p*y off?

[Beate]

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1645080/

Some seriously bad reviews on there.

[raj101]

its got emma roberts in. thats enough to make it bad.

[platining]

http://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/the_art_of_getting_by/

not too bad on audience feedback tough... 64%

[Beate]

http://www.viewlondon.co.uk/films/the-a ... 41377.html

[raj101]

its not a bad film, but its not particularly good. What works against it is this - I'm not sure why you'd p*y to watch this when there is a glut of teenage angst movies and shows on everyday at home. People mention a twist in the story? There really isnt one that you'd not see coming a mile off.

freddie highmore is good in it, he reminded me of Tony from Skins POST brain damage (lol not in a bad way). He comes across as very much a college pre-fresher.

Emma isnt bad either but shes not particularly good either. Like Emma Watson, it shows sometimes that she is not the character in a movie but an inable actress with her cutting too early or too late for the camera. It doesnt help that shes losing her teen looks and needs a new audience and new roles now, shes now far too unconvincing as a teenager.

The film plods along but with some wry observations about being 16/17/18, and being yellow and innocent (in a nice way, we've all been in those kind of situations, you know like when you go into a pub and ask for a drink but dont know what the drinks are called ... 'Oh, that one'll do, I'm not fussy" lol).

7/10

noone else was in the cinema but me and a sixtysomething lady lol