Review of The Spectacular Now (2013) by Chris K — 08 Apr 2014

2013 seemed to be full of coming-of-age flicks that dared to go against the clichés but still manage to be more charming than one could ever expect - just look at "The Way, Way Back", which crammed a crazy huge amount of stars, an unknown kid actor as the lead, and managed to make one of the most enjoyable movies of the year. I expected "The Spectacular Now" to be in the same vein: after all, it stars Miles Teller, a rising actor that has a handful of comedies under his belt. But in actuality, the film is a stunningly realistic look not only at the baggage that comes along with alcoholism, but at the predicament most teenagers feel - they'd rather live in the easy-going now than think about the terrifying future.

Teller is Sutter Keely, a charm monster who fills up the stereotypical "fun guy" character archetype that comes along with most high schools. There isn't a moment where he says the wrong thing or is unkind - he wants to please everyone and in return, people absolutely adore him. The problem is, is that while Sutter is well-liked, he secretly is an alcoholic that is out-of-control with his drinking and partying. Sure, his present is jammed with bright spots, but it isn't hard to tell that if he doesn't pick up his act, he's going to end up being the barfly that stuffs his beer belly for a living.

In walks Aimee Finecky (Shailene Woodley), an equally kind-hearted wallflower that attracts Sutter's attention. She's unlike any girl he's ever been with, and after all, Aimee has never had an ex-boyfriend in her entire life. As the film moves along, they fall deeply in love, but there also isn't a moment where we doubt that they are very bad for each other.

While "The Spectacular Now" is compelling, it's also quite painful to watch. From the start, it's clear that Sutter will be one of the guys who peaked in high school, the one who starred in everyone's best memories but never left. There are sprinklings of wit in the works, and Sutter has a mouth that knows all the right things to say, but we're less concerned with the humor and more concerned with Sutter and Aimee, a couple who look great together but will also be each other's downfall. Sutter is not in control of his addiction, putting the bottle in front of his relationships, while Aimee is much too passive to do anything about it. Michael Weber is unflinching in his writing, never for a second letting up on the unfortunate realism of it all, and Ponsoldt directs with melancholy that grows to the point of short-term depression for the viewer. It's refreshing, while still sometimes upsetting, to see a coming-of-age film that doesn't pull cheery fakery to have a happy ending.

Teller may have already been an actor on the rise before "The Spectacular Now", but this surely will be the film that goes down in indie history as his breakout. He stars in every single scene, and he never feels unwelcome. He embodies Sutter, easily pulling off his warm likability but also portraying his inner turmoil without making us look the other way. His performance is at once delicate and balanced, moving along with naturalness that is quite impressive. Woodley, who is just as much of an up-and-comer and has recently made her way into the YA mainstream with "Divergent" (as did Teller, who was put in a small supporting role), has wonderful chemistry with her co-star, and seeing Aimee throw her prospects away for tainted love is difficult - but Woodley manages to make Aimee's decisions understandable.

"The Spectacular Now" at times is as truthful as a punch in the gut, but in return, we get an above average coming-of-age story that doesn't settle for the expectations associated with the genre.