George (Freddie Highmore) is a smart but fatalistic high school kid who doesn’t really want to put too much effort into anything because everyone will die anyway. This attitude results in him doing absolutely no homework for years, and while this has really started to piss off his teachers,it has intrigued his classmate Sally (Emma Roberts). And when he saves her from getting trouble, they start a friendship.
While Emma doesn’t have a problem handling her homework, she has her emotional involvement issues- resulting from her dsyfunctional relationship with her mother (Elizabeth Reaser, Esme Cullen of the Twilight Series). George’s family life isn’t ideal either. His mother (Rita Wilson) is married to Jack (Sam Robards) , a stepfather who means well but can’t quite deal with George’s quirkiness along with his own financial problems.
Enter Dustin (Michael Angarano, Elliot from Will and Grace), a young artist who gets George and encourages him about his own art. But life gets more complicated the more people you let him. Dustin is into Sally, and Sally just loves the type. She is not emotionally mature enough to truly interpret her friendship with George, and George might be too much of a fatalist to get it himself.
Maybe you can get by without taking any responsibility until you are a high school senior. But how can you graduate, save the best friendship you ever had and deal with your family if you are not doing anything?
*
Worth Seeing?
The Art of Getting By is a sweet little drama about life, the thin line between teenage oblivion and adult responsibility, love, friendship and family.
It is not the most original drama, but it is original and engaging enough. I’ve loved Freddie Highmore’s acting since A Good Year, though my favorite Highmore to date is August Rush.
Written and directed by Gavin Wiesen, The Art Getting By presents a relatable character with George. At least I could relate to him on many levels. No, I wasn’t just as fatalistic or lazy when it came to school work, but I had mastered the art of passing my classes (with flying colors, if possible) with as little effort as possible.
Sure, I had my favorite subject where I didn’t consider anything work (English)- but that was about it in High School. I escaped to my own mind when things got rough, and I found it really hard to find people I really lilked and relate to. I hadn’t made any good friends until my last years at high school.
So yeah, even if I am very out-going and friendly, I can’t connect with anyone and everyone. And this is one boy’s adventure of finding those people who can connect with, and as a result connecting with life itself.
I liked it. At 6.4 on IMDB, I would say the rating is OK. Would I have rated it more had I been in high school? Or even in university? Probably…
Fun notes:
– Alicia Silverstone guest-stars as one of Highmore’s frustrated teachers.
– Rita Wilson is married to Tom Hanks.