[Review: IN THEATERS] THE SPECTACULAR NOW (8/10)

James Ponsoldt’s The Spectacular Now is a well-drawn, straightforward drama that lives and breathes – the kind of movie I wish kids in Buffalo’s suburbs would make (instead of stoner comedies that do what Kevin Smith was doing 19 years ago in New Jersey). Miles Teller (from the awful 21 & Over) has a chance to play a flesh and blood character – much like his persona from 21 & Over and Project X, he plays Sutter Keeley, an alcoholic party boy, a 17-year old on the verge of having to repeat his senior year of high school. He’s charming, working part time in a Brooks Brothers-like men’s shop, while taking sips from a big gulp cup (refilled by flask).

Ponsoldt knows this territory well: his previous film (Smashed) was a study in the effects of alcoholism and was an equally strong character study with Mary Elizabeth Winstead (who returns here as Sutter’s sister). Sutter’s life is turned upside down when he’s dumped by girlfriend Tara and goes on a bender, despite being 17 he’s easily able to get into bars (Georgia must have lax ID laws). Asleep on a random lawn, he’s woken up by Aimee Fineky – the lovely Shailene Woodley in a star-making role. Aimee also has problems of her own – including an absent mother. Sutter's mother is also largely absent - a hardworking nurse (played by Jennifer Jason Leigh) who rarely observes Sutter's self destruction.

The two connect in the usual expected ways in an unexpected character drama with a very strong script from (500) Days of Summer writers Scott Neustadter and Michael H. Weber. They know this territory and unlike (500) Days, they’ve evolved: missing is the Manic Pixie Girl trope that haunted cinema for a brief period (starting perhaps with the diagnosis – Eliazabethtown and jumping the shark with (500) Days). Woodley’s Aimee is a complex girl stuck in a real situation: a good girl who might just be brought down by the guy she loves, whom she isn’t 100% trying to fix. Strong and realistic – The Spectacular Now is a film that might just save lives, or, alternatively save relationships.

Consider the most disturbing passage in the film: when Miles and Aimee meet Miles’ dad (played by Kyle Chandler) – it’s a wake up call. We all have the potential to make our parents mistakes and here we see just how those mistakes can resonate do generations worth of damage. The film simply must be discovered and experienced: tender, romantic and powerful – Ponsoldt has made an excellent, mature teen drama.

Screening: Dipson Eastern Hills