Movies Reviews

The Art of Getting By – Movie Review

By Anne Brodie Jun 16, 2011, 15:45 GMT

George, a lonely and fatalistic teen who\'s made it all the way to his senior year without ever having done a real day of work, is befriended by Sally, a popular but complicated girl who recognizes in him a kindred spirit. ...more

Little Freddie Highmore all grown up and starring in a romance?   Yes, indeed.  Time waits for no one, least of all, a young actor with chops like his. 

Highmore is a persuasive actor, who made his initial mark as the doe-eyed little boy in Finding Neverland and has parlayed that into a career in the big time thanks to innate talent and plain old fashioned work. 

Highmore has had his nose at the grindstone almost without a break since 2004, in some high profile and independent films as well as television series.  He’s a capable actor who has worked hard at his craft.

This is an angsty tale of a couple of kids trying to find some happiness in the world as they navigate school, sex,  parents, peers and the usual things that seem insurmountable at that age. Highmore plays a low functioning genius type named George.  He can draw beautifully but he can’t get an assignment in at school or please his family. 

He’s an outsider, a dark Byronic hero, all those edgy things that also seem important at that age.   His mother played with teary frustration by Rita Wilson, is at her wits’ end as her second marriage crumbles and George’s attitude tears her apart.   George’s offhandedness and inability to see outside himself is aggravating to say the least.

Blair Underwood plays the principal, a type he’s done before, who has a love hate relationship with George.  He admires his brains and artistic soul but feels George’s lack of respect for him and the system is unacceptable. 

As the end of the year approaches George hasn’t handed in a single assignment,  as he’s been so busy with his sketching and taking smoke breaks off campus, so the principal make him do every one he missed in three weeks or be expelled.  He is barely getting by, hence title.

George is also discovering love with Robert’s Sally, who finds him frustrating. He’s backward about being forward and in the meantime she hooks up with his artist friend, a bohemian who should maybe pick on someone his own age. 

Roberts’ portrayal of the free spirited Sally is nuanced and interesting, she’s embarrassed by her sex mad mother, nurturing and kind towards George while giving free expression to her wild side that craves experience.

Alicia Silverstone makes a down market appearance as George’s frumpy teacher, who recognizes his talent and tries to encourage him.  You believe she is this bespectacled earnest woman not a glamorous star doing something “risky”.  She’s clearly comfortable in the inevitable older roles. Hooray! Can’t wait to see what she’ll do in this new chapter of her career.

There’s a lot at play here but somehow, it’s a bit cool and detached and fails to completely engage.   George is a frustrating protagonist and Highmore does a very good job of getting that across but is this someone you want to spend 90 minutes with?   It’s an Afterschool Special .

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35mm romance
Written and directed by Gavin Wiesin
Opens:  June 17th
Runtime: 84 minutes
MPAA: PG 13
Country: US
Language: English