Movie Review - The Spectacular Now

The Spectacular Now **½ ( R) In most teenage romances, whether comedies or otherwise, whenever the flawed popular boy becomes surprisingly involved with a girl from the other end of the social order, he invariably learns Valuable Lessons making him a better person;　 and she ends the film prettier, happier and more fulfilled than anyone in their school could have imagined. This dramedy admirably steers clear of convention, giving us a shot at a more realistic view of teen angst - romantic and familial - with Miles Teller and Shailene Woodley showcasing bright acting futures in the lead roles.

Teller, resembling a young John Cusack, plays a good-time Charlie. He’s obviously bright, but puts all his energy into drinking and clowning. He’s a Peter Pan, fixated on a carpe diem approach to life. In their senior year, his teen-queen girlfriend finally dumps him in search of a guy who offers an adult future. He doesn’t even understand the problem. After passing out from a night’s drunken revels, he awakens in Woodley’s yard, with no idea how he got there, and only a vague idea of who she is. They start spending time together. Will they become friends, or more? Will anything between them be real, or just a rebound?　　　

The script focuses heavily on Teller’s parental issues. Dad left a while ago, and he blames his mother (Jennifer Jason Leigh). His drinking and lack of ambition seem largely derived from their split. Beneath his charm lies very little substance. Woodley isn’t just flattered by the attentions of one of the cool guys. She also sees more buried merit than he does. We worry that his bitterness will harm her, especially as she starts drinking along with him.

Without covering the plot too specifically, the film’s tone is far more dramatic than romantic. Teller has many devils to purge which may or may not lead to a combined future for the couple. Several scenes are quite effective; other aspects of the story seem more contrived, if not overly convenient. The net result is intriguing, but well short of profound. (8/23/13)