Review of Liberal Arts (2012) by Ben D — 27 Dec 2012

Liberal Arts is a low-key slice of academic life, written and directed by its star Josh Radnor. Radnor, best known for his role on the US sitcom How I Met Your Mother, reveals a more sensitive ear for character than his persona on that show could ever show.

Jesse Fisher is in his thirties, an admissions advisor who has become stalled in his career. Always giving advice to young students about paths they should take, he seems incapable of taking his own advice. Clearly Jesse was once an intelligent, young man with a bright future ahead of him, for an old professor from his alma mater invites him to speak at his retirement dinner. Professor Hoberg, played by Richard Jenkins with a dishevelled charm, introduces him to some of his friends - and their teenage daughter, Zibby, played by Elizabeth Olsen.

The intelligence at the heart of Radnor's picture is accentuated by its heart. As Jesse and Zibby walk the tree-lined paths of Kenyon College, a summer romance seems about to bloom. The pair have chemistry, instant attraction - but then Jesse has to return to New York City. What begins then is a correspondence - conducted by letter - as these two people learn to connect in much deeper, passionate ways. These sequences are full of charm - and some great wit - and of course Jesse is going to go back to Ohio, to see Zibby and see what can be.

Radnor's writing in the final third of the movie is cleverly done. This romance develops in a way counter to expectations, and consequently the movie becomes more endearing than its first half might lead you to believe. It is also more honest than many summer romance movies.

As a director Radnor's eye is good - there are some wonderfully composed shots here - though he sometimes resorts to indie-movie cliché. Liberal Arts is that kind of movie that you'll enjoy while it lasts, and warm to and like, but afterwards it might not be so memorable. There is little to make it stand out long-term - but that I'm including such commentary in my review implies something: that Radnor has the capacity to make a film that will stand out. This is not it - though it is a very well made film - but as a stepping stone in career-building, Josh Radnor is nothing like Jesse Fisher. All in all, I'm very much looking forward to what Radnor does next.