The Spectacular Now
2013 · Directed by James Ponsoldt
Original language: English
- comedy
- drama
- romance
The story
Sutter, a popular party animal, unexpectedly meets the introverted Aimee after waking up on a stranger's lawn. As Sutter deals with the problems in his life and Aimee plans for her future beyond school, an unexpected romance blossoms between them.
What it’s like
Warm, unhurried handheld intimacy: The Spectacular Now lives in suburban Georgia in the bleached daylight of late afternoons and the amber haze of parties, with a natural, slightly grainy look that favours faces over backgrounds and lets ordinary rooms, car interiors and cluttered kitchens breathe. Its vibe is wistful and bittersweet, the kind of film that suits a lazy weekend afternoon or a quiet night alone when you want something tender and a little melancholy without tipping into despair. The pacing is loose and conversational, with long, unhurried scenes of talk, pauses and small gestures, and the soundtrack is a warm mix of indie guitar and folk that sits softly under the dialogue. Emotionally it is honest and understated, following a charming, self-destructive teenager who is slowly confronted by his drinking and a quieter girl who sees past his act toward a more uncertain future. Alcohol use is shown frankly and its consequences weigh on the story; there is some drunkenness, a few tense moments, and sexual content that is brief and non-graphic, with no graphic violence. It suits viewers who enjoy grounded coming-of-age stories with a bruised, humane heart.
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