The Art of Getting By

Directed by: Gavin Wiesen
Run Time: 84 min    Dropps: 6/10

Fox Searchlight’s third release this year is a little High School drama starring Freddie Highmore and Emma Roberts, The Art of Getting By.  The film is about a young man, George, that has given up on trying in life, school or relationships. Suddenly he grabs the attention of the popular girl in school and reactivates the social skills and a motivation towards something. As their relationship progresses will George be able to make the leap into something further or loose everything he has gained?

Freddie Highmore, who is best know for the movies August Rush and Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, takes on the lead role of George Zinavoy.  For his first film in a non child role he does very well with what he is given. He takes the smart ass remarks and pulled back demeanor of George and makes a true character from it. Also he gets extra points for being able to hold on to his American accent for most of the film, he seems to trip up in one scene and his natural Brit escapes.

Emma Roberts plays George’s friend/love interest Sally Howe. Roberts has been on a role since last year appearing in the star packed Valentine’s Day, the indie It’s Kind of A Funny Story and the franchise sequel Scream 4.  She does a good job creating a combination of laid back girl that is fun to hang out with and care free party girl. She becomes one of those girls that you knew in High School that could be friends with everyone but sometimes unwittingly plays with others emotions.

The actors did a good job with the script but there were pitfalls all over the movie.  The camera operator in the beginning had a few moments where the camera shook so noticeably that it throws the viewer out of the film for the first five to ten minutes. Then there was the fact that the costuming for the main character seemed to be a bit too dated, almost like Judd Nelson from The Breakfast Club.  Not to mention it feels like the film is very slow, even though the film is only 84 minutes you could walk out believing it was two hours.

On the other side there are some good things about the film. The after the first few bad shaky camera issues there is a lot of great cinematography. The film is set in and around New York City and it shows off the city in a very picturesque light. Also the film’s dialogue is very age appropriate and not unrealistic for the age of the characters.

Once the film is over one may be a little on the fence if they liked the film or disliked it. It is easier to say that it is better to wait for the film to come out on rather than pay the $10 admission and not be certain about your reaction of what was just viewed.

-Ashlyn Williams