Movie Review - The Spectacular Now

THE SPECTACULAR NOW

(2013), USA, 95 Mins

Dir: James Ponsoldt

Ok, when it comes to young adult/coming of age type films, this basic plot for a movie may sound rather familiar, but bear with me!

A seemingly very popular young high school senior, Sutter (Miles Teller) is loving life in the now – he has the charm to worm his way into just about anything, he has a beautiful, popular & happening girlfriend, & a handy part time job. Basically he is the life of the party as his class approaches the end of school. But when his girlfriend suddenly dumps him & forces him to re-evaluate where he is headed in life, he finds himself drawn to the smart but socially outcast Aimee (Shailene Woodley). Initially in Sutter’s eyes, it may be just a rebound while she assists him with schoolwork, but Stutter soon becomes very attached to Amy, & likewise the rather shy Aimee finds herself opening to a new world in finding her 1^st ever boyfriend in Sutter.

  As I mentioned, this storyline has a familiar ring to it on first glance, but The Spectacular Now is anything but another typical teen romance once we get into the details of the film. There is a lot more to Sutter than his initial output. Why does he sneak a drink from his hip flask every opportunity he can? What exactly caused his father to leave his mother, & how deeply does this affect Sutter? Also Aimee is finding her way into a world with more independence, but how is that affecting her relationship with her own family? And where do their lives lead them once school finishes?

Its these kind of deep issues, plus the first rate performances from Teller & Woodley that really separate The Spectacular Now from other films of its genre. There is real chemistry between Sutter & Aimee, & we really get a feel for their struggles as they try to find themselves & where they are headed – right from the first meeting, up until their inevitable tension & possible breakdown of the relationship.

With an excellent supporting cast containing the likes of Jennifer Jason Leigh & Mary Elizabeth Winstead, The Spectacular Now is literally just that...spectacular! I really found myself immersed in the film & I really identified well with Sutter & Aimee, & you find yourself hoping they can find a way through their struggles in growing up. I really like that the film avoided the pitfalls of other coming of age films, & also avoided a more typical Hollywood ending. Be prepared for some heartbreak along the journey, as well as plenty of heart-warming moments.

I saw The Spectacular Now at the Melbourne International Film Festival back in August, but it has just been given a limited general release now, & this is definitely worth tracking down if you can. It was the standout film I saw at MIFF, & one of the films of 2013, no question. A real gem, I’m going to give this **** ½

Movie Review: Gravity

GRAVITY

(2013) USA/UK, 90 Mins

Dir: Alfonso Cuarón

Gravity is a sci-fi/drama/thriller set in outer space, starring A list names Sandra Bullock, & George Clooney. And for 95% of the film, starring ONLY this duo!  Bullock plays Dr Ryan Stone, who is on her first space shuttle mission. While Clooney plays Matt Kowalski, who is a veteran astronaut on his final space expedition. They are the only surviving crew of the space shuttle Explorer, after a freak space debris matter from a Russian satellite take out the ship & the rest of the crew. Stranded in deep outer space, having lost contact with mission control back on earth, Stone & Kowalski are left to their own wits, experience & knowledge to somehow survive & formulate a plan to get back home to earth. Battling great odds, will they be able to possibly survive?

I’m deliberately not going into any more detail about Gravity, lest I spoil it for anyone who hasn’t seen it yet. Especially seeing Gravity’s biggest charm is the drama & suspense it quickly builds – we really get behind the two survivors & are on the edge of seats to witness if they can make it back home.

Credit must go to both Bullock & Clooney, as I mentioned above they literally carry 95% of the film with just the two of them featuring. Both are in arguably career-best form here, & it shows with the rave reviews Gravity has secured. Speaking of,  I rarely read many reviews before seeing a film, but the hype surrounding Gravity was hard to pass up reading a few. Also with a 97% rating on rotten tomatoes – rarefied air indeed – my expectations were very high going in, especially as I’m a big Sandy Bullock fan. I guess I was really expecting to be blown away with a really awesome, top shelf film.

So did it live up to that hype for me? Short answer, not quite. L I wanted to be totally amazed by it, & don’t get me wrong, it’s a great film – just not 97% great. Perhaps it’s the theme of the film – I’m not the biggest outer space movie fan, & this film probably isn’t for everyone. It can be a little slow moving at times, & younger fans may find it harder to identify with. But I’m being super critical here, Gravity has a LOT going for it!  The film graphics are spectacular – everything is visually amazing in the outer space setting. As I mentioned above, Clooney & Bullock are great, & you can’t help but be entranced by their predicament & gripped by the unfolding drama.

I only saw this in 2D, but Gravity is definitely one film worth plonking down the extra bucks to see in 3D – the space scenes with the lack of gravity (no pun intended) of objects & the space shuttles themselves would look amazing in 3D. Definitely keep this film in mind come early next year when the big movie picture award season rolls round – I’m pretty sure Gravity will be featuring highly in several categories!

Gravity is still screening in plenty of good cinemas & no doubt some bad ones too (though none quite as bad as that pun!). While not the awesome, blow-away movie of the decade that some have called it, it’s still an excellent film, especially if you can catch it in 3D. I have no qualms giving this ****