pinartarhan.com

Fun and comprehensive entertainment blog feat. movies, TV series, actors, movie-makers, music & books: 1980 - Present

  • Home
  • Hire Me
  • Books
  • Privacy Policy

The Art of Getting By starring Freddie Highmore Highmore & Emma Roberts

Posted on January 15, 2012 Written by ripitup

Share

The Art of Getting By Premise
The Art of Getting By movie poster
The Art of Getting By movie poster via entertainmentwallpaper.com

 

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.

Share

Filed Under: Movies and Actors Tagged With: alicia silverstione, drama, Emma Roberts, freddie highmore, freddie highmore in the art of getting by, freddie highmore movies, gavin wiesen, michael angarano, movies, rita wilson, sam robards, the art of getting by, the art of getting by cast, the art of getting by movie

Larry Crowne starring Tom Hanks & Julia Roberts

Posted on July 12, 2011 Written by ripitup

Share

Larry Crowne starring Tom Hanks and Julia Roberts
Larry Crowne starring Tom Hanks and Julia Roberts. Directed and co-written by Tom Hanks. Image via collider.com

 

Larry Crowne (Tom Hanks) is a middle-aged guy working at a sales job he really likes. But when he gets fired due to his lack of university education, he is quite upset. And when his attempts at landing a job fail, he decides to go to the community college, with some inspriation from his negotiation-loving neighbor (Cedric The Entertainer).

The dean at school encourages Larry to take Enonomics, a speech & communications class along with one other.So along with nutty teachers, moped gang member classmates, exams and struggle to survive financially, Larry takes us on a very sweet, but incredibly familiar and somewhat ordinary journey.

And of course no Hollywood journey would be complete without some romance at stake. So Larry falls for his communications teacher Mercedes (Julia Roberts), who is not exactly happy with her blogger husband who spends his days at porn sites rather than write things that would bring home money…

**

I believe sweet, ordinary and familiar are the perfect three words to describe this Tom Hanks film, where he directed and also co-wrote the screenplay. Larry Crowne flows like a day out with your good friends where you hang out at your favorite coffee shop or bar. It is not very eventful, there are no surprises and there’s  no adrenalin rush. It is sweet, and Tom Hanks is his usual likable romantic comedy self. But that’s about it.

Rated 5.9 on IMDB.

 

Fun notes:

–          That 70’s show’s Fez, Wilmer Valderrama, has a fun part as the jealous boyfriend of Larry’s newly found friend.

 

–          Tom Hanks’ wife Rita Wilson has a small role as the bank official.

 

 

–          Breaking Bad’s chemistry genius Bryan Cranston plays Julia Roberts’ loser husband.

 

–          Cougar Town’s Andy Ian Gomez plays Larry’s friend.

 

 

–          Larry Crowne was co-written by My Big Fat Greek Wedding’s writer and leading actress Nia Vardalos.

 

 

Also on Tom Hanks:

You’ve Got Mail starring Meg Ryan and Tom Hanks

 

Also on Julia Roberts:

Valentine’s Day starring Julia Roberts, Bradley Cooper, Ashton Kutcher, Jessica Alba & more

Duplicity starring Clive Owen and Julia Roberts

Julia Roberts Trivia: 15 Facts About Julia Roberts Movies and Her Private Life

Something to Talk About starring Dennis Quaid, Julia Roberts, Kyra Sedgwick and Robert Duvall

Tall Actresses: Julia Roberts, Bridget Moynahan, Natascha McElhone, Liv Tyler and Charlize Theron

Pretty Woman: Movie Review of the Unrealistic Yet Adorable Romantic Comedy

Share

Filed Under: Movies and Actors Tagged With: cedric the entertainer, ian gomes, Julia Roberts, larry crowne, larry crowne cast, larry crowne movie, nia vardalos, rita wilson, tom hanks, tom hanks larry crowne, Wilmer Valderrama

In the mood for a fun romcom novel?

Copyright © 2025 · Focus Pro on Genesis Framework · WordPress · Log in

This website uses cookies to improve your experience. We'll assume you're ok with this, but you can opt-out if you wish.Accept Reject Read More
Privacy & Cookies Policy

Privacy Overview

This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Out of these, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. But opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience.
Necessary
Always Enabled
Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. This category only includes cookies that ensures basic functionalities and security features of the website. These cookies do not store any personal information.
Non-necessary
Any cookies that may not be particularly necessary for the website to function and is used specifically to collect user personal data via analytics, ads, other embedded contents are termed as non-necessary cookies. It is mandatory to procure user consent prior to running these cookies on your website.
SAVE & ACCEPT