Rental Review: The Spectacular Now

Several months ago I saw the preview for The Spectacular Now and decided to try and see it when it debuted. I missed it in the theater, but two of my friends went and insisted I rent it once it became available.

Since I've watched every available streaming show and movie on Netflix, I've taken to renting things via iTunes. When I saw The Spectacular Now was available, I downloaded it immediately.

The movie is based on the book by the same title, written by Tim Tharp. I never read it, so I had no idea how the plot would unfold.

At the start of the film we meet Sutter (played by Miles Teller), the big man on campus. In his senior year of high school he is the life of the party. He's also always drinking. Like, always.

After one of his drunken escapades, he finds himself on a stranger's front lawn being shaken awake. The person waking him is Aimee (played by Shailene Woodley). She knows him, but he doesn't know her, even though they attend the same school.

Aimee is the nice, quiet girl, the introvert to Sutter's extrovert. I find it so funny that Shailene Woodley is playing a good girl named Aimee for the second time (that is also her character's name on ABC Family's The Secret Life of an American Teenager).

I have to say, I found the whole premise of the drunk party boy trying to woo the goody two shoes girl totally cliche. I was bored by the predictability of the plot.

The one thing that was very unexpected was seeing actor Kyle Chandler (Coach Taylor on Friday Night Lights) in an evil role. Chandler plays Sutter's deadbeat dad. Talk about showing range!

While watching The Spectacular Now I kept waiting for the "ah ha" moment that never came. I found the tone of the movie completely depressing.

I am looking forward to seeing Shailene Woodley in Divergent and The Fault In Our Stars. Hopefully she'll redeem herself!

Did you see The Spectacular Now? Were you as disappointed as I was?

*All images courtesy of The Spectacular Now.

 

Molly Galler

Welcome to Pop.Bop.Shop. My name is Molly. I’m a foodie, fashionista, pop culture addict and serious travel junkie. I’m a lifelong Bostonian obsessed with frozen confections, outdoor patios, Mindy Kaling, reality television, awards shows, tropical vacations, snail mail and my birthday.

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