THE SPECTACULAR NOW

THE SPECTACULAR NOW Review

By Darin Skaggs

     The 1980’s is known for many things, one of them is the teenage film series including The Breakfast Club, Pretty in Pink and Ferris Bueller’s Day Off.  In recent years that genre has come back with a similar comedic/dramatic tone with films like Perks of Being a Walflower, Superbad and the most recent The Spectacular Now.  A film that explores the difficultly of being a senior in High School

and not knowing what to do next.

     The film stars Miles Teller, who plays Sutter Keely, a senior in High School.  He lives with his mom, who he doesn’t get along with.  He has just broken up with his girlfriend, which he is taking pretty hard.  He doesn’t know his father which constantly eats away at him.  He also drinks a ton, so much he seems used to being drunk or buzzed most of the time.  His life is just starting and he is already near rock bottom.  That is true until he meets Aimee Fincky, played by Shailene Woodley.  They spend their time together deciding how to grow up and what to do with their lives while forming a bond.

     Teller plays Sutter so well you see this character and not the actor.  There is no moment where he or any other character says what he is feeling in a big climatic emotional monologue.  The emotions they feel are subtle.  No one ever comes out that he is an 18 year old alcoholic but we know he is from the script.  There are many moments in the film that are not played up to make you feel.  It is a slow ride of teenagers learning to love, learn and be okay with themselves.

     The relationship of Sutter and Aimee is one of the best of the year.  They are slowly falling in love.  Aimee is changing Sutter for the better and vice versa.  Yet, Sutter introduces Aimee to drinking, so he is also teaching her this bad habit.  You can tell he wants to be with his ex-girlfriend but throughout the film he gives less and less thought to her.  You can tell he starts to only care about Aimee.  They form not only a romantic bond, but a great bond of friendship.  They are patient with each other and forgiving which is something you don’t see in most films.

     This is one of the more touching films of the year and a great exploration of teenage alcoholism and sadness.  It captures leaving High School with no plan and yet gives hope to that situation.