Liberal Arts

plays in Celestial Cinema Wednesday

plays with Tribute to Josh Radnor

(USA, 2012, 97 mins)

Executive Producer: Paul Prokop
Producers: Brice Dal Farra, Claude Dal Farra, Jesse Hara, Lauren Munsch, Josh Radnor
Coproducer: Bryan Thomas
Music: Ben Toth
Cinematographer: Seamus Tierney
Editor: Michael R. Miller
Cast: Josh Radnor, Elizabeth Olsen, Zac Efron, Richard Jenkins, Allison Janney, Elizabeth Reaser

Not Yet Rated

Once you get into college, you just might have a hard time ever getting out. You might have to feel your way out following your heart.

That's what Jesse, age 35, has to face in this emotionally rich comedy about, yes, growing up even more.

Josh Radnor wrote, directed, and stars here, and he shot the film at his alma mater Kenyon College. He's triple-playing his artistic successes (How I Met Your Mother, happythankyoumoreplease).

Jesse goes back to his old school at the invitation of a favorite old English professor, played by Richard Jenkins (The Visitor, Six Feet Under), to make a speech at his retirement. The college becomes a Tar Baby of sorts as Jesse builds a comically tender relationship, potentially inappropriate, with nineteen-year-old Zibby, portrayed by Elizabeth Olsen—a lighthearted performance by contrast to her sensational one in the cult drama Martha Marcy May Marlene.

College, of course, is an intellectual industry, and that industry can be heartless. Jesse learns this lesson from his former romantic lit teacher, played by Allison Janney (The West Wing). As a kind of compensation, though, he gets wiggy consultations by hanging out with Zac Efron's ingenious Maynard G. Krebs-type character.

Everyone grows up together—those who can, that is.

One thing's for sure though—we all really really really need a hug.


- PW

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