LIBERAL ARTS
US, 2012, 97 minutes, Colour.
Josh Radnor, Elizabeth Olsen, Richard Jenkins, Allison Janney, Zac Efron, Joe Magaro, Elizabeth Reaser.
Directed by Josh Radnor.
There are some films that we really like and identify with – despite any critic telling us that we shouldn’t be giving it any attention. This one seems to have divided reviewers and audiences. It really did it nicely for me! And surprisingly.
On paper, the description would seem ordinary enough. Young man, Jesse, from Ohio finishes his degree and has a job with admissions at a New York university. His relationship breaks up. He accepts the invitation to a farewell dinner from one of his professors. He goes and gets the opportunity to re-assess his life, talking with his professor friend, but making a connection with Zibby (Elizabeth Olsen) the daughter of the professor’s friends. She is nineteen, studying drama and improvisation, is not bashful or shy and finds that she can talk easily and comfortably with Jesse. And, because they live thousands of miles apart, she urges him to write letters. (One hopes that younger audiences are not put off by this advocating of letters!) He is also an inveterate reader of actual books!).
The title indicates that this is a film which relies on the subjects of the liberal arts. Lots of references to and discussions about literature, about drama, about classical music, about history. So, it is aimed at younger audiences comfortable in the world of liberal arts – and draws in older audiences as well. Speaking of young and old, much is made of the age difference, 16 years, between Jesse and Zibby, and the relationship and experiences of young adults and those contemplating moving through adulthood.
With the focus on the professor (Richard Jenkins), we listen to an older man who has had a 38 year academic career, has resigned, then wonders what he has done and wants to take back his decision. Allison Janney plays another academic who has influenced Jesse but who, in real life, is a cold and contemptuous woman. There are two other influential characters that Jesse encounters, one a young man with leftist views who influences Jesse when they chance meet in a park (a surprisingly sympathetic Zac Efron) and a depressed student for whom Jesse becomes a lifeline (John Magaro).
The cast is excellent. Elizabeth Olsen is persuasive as the young woman, sure in manner, less sure in herself and how she should behave. Josh Radnor is sympathetic as Jesse, inviting the audience to empathise and hope that he can settle in his life and grow up as he needs to. He is prone to challenging comments and questions as is Zibby. It must be difficult to act and to direct, which Radnor does, for him to react to lines from other characters with surprise when, in fact, he has written them.
An intelligent, often witty, entertainment for liberal arts-type audiences.
1. The title? Education, learning, culture, wisdom, the arts, in an American context? American college life? Life after College?
2. The contribution of Josh Radnor, directing, writing, playing Jesse? Writing the dialogue from all the characters’ differing points of view and their conflicts and arguments?
3. Ohio, campus, spacious and green, dormitories, lecturers’ homes, diners? The comparison with New York, the apartment, the University, bookshops? The musical score?
4. Jesse’s story, Josh Radnor’s presence and performance, aged 35, his job with Admissions, his conversations with the applicants? The different perspectives on college education? Liking books, and the bookshop? his life and prospects, relationships and break-ups?
5. Phone call from Peter, driving to Ohio, not wanting to fly? Peter’s welcome, Zibby and her parents, the discussions, the meal, application, Zibby and her Improv work? The attraction?
6. The farewell dinner, Peter’s rambling speech? His asking to leave after 37 years? Change of mind, the interview with Robert, the request, the refusal, his harsh attitudes towards Robert and his job and the recommendation in the past? His reflections, seeing universities as a prison? Happy with Jesse’s visit? The second visit, the discussion, the reconciliation?
7. Nate, fantasy, real? His appearance, manner of talking, on the bench, his water, his cap? Chatting with Jesse, advice, going to the party, optimistic view, his appearance in the park again, his listening, Jesse seeing him as a friend? Encouragement?
8. Dean, the young man, the book and his reading, his mental illness, the encounter with Jesse, the conversation, the second meeting, the book, Jesse sympathetic, writing his phone number? The phone call, Jesse flying to see them, Dean’s gratitude?
9. Zibby, age, bond with her parents, talking with Jesse, the meeting, 1130, the coffee, going for a walk, sharing, the argument about reading, the vampire book? Her drama course, Improv?
10. The exchange of letters, Jesse’s return, his reasons, not telling Peter? The discussions, his elitism, the reasons? Zibby’s attitude for people to be happy with what they read? Meeting the roommate, having to move in and out?
11. Zibby proposing that he spend the night, his washing his face, hesitation, her reasons, first love? His decision not to stay?
12. His reaction, meeting the lecturer, praising her for her classes, her gruff manner? Later meeting her, her drinking, the fries, discussions about the poets, the funny stories, her inviting him home, ousting him quickly after the sexual encounter, her offhand remarks, cigarette, the further discussions, her comment on his gooey heart and his holding her partly responsible?
13. Zibby, going to the boyfriend, drinking, sex?
14. The importance of the episode with Dean, Jesse’s kindness, meeting Zibby, the discussions about age, her moving on, his going home?
15. Going to the bookshop, meeting Ana, the talk, comfortable with each other, getting more engaged with life rather than reading books? Their future?
