The Art Of Getting By
Starring: Freddie Highmore, Emma Roberts
Director: Gavin Wiesen
Rating: 2/5
Everyone knows one, the loner who thinks a little too much, is creative but never really tries. New small-scale drama The Art of Getting By brings another one of these characters to the fore, but is it just more mumblecore monotony or something just a little more Annie Hall.
We focus on George (Freddie Highmore), a fatalistic slacker who's on the cusp of not bothering to graduate high-school. In between bouts of smoking and doodling he's befriended by Sally (Emma Roberts), a complicated girl who immediately hits it off with George.
What follows is a story of teenage complications and angst (all peppered by art, indie music and an ever present over-coat) as the two figure out what to do with each other.
The trouble with The Art of Getting By is that it all feels done before. The story laid before us is one we've all seen a hundred times, whether it's on the silver screen or through our own eyes. After a little while it all gets a little old and formulaic.
This is something defiantly improved by the two leads. Both former child star Highmore and fast climber Roberts are great, looking right at home in the shoes of George and Sally. Their chemistry also helps guide the film through it's rough patches. The script also gives them some nice material, but nothing ever really sparkling.
While the stars may be shining, the film doesn't. This is a film that takes itself way to seriously and although an appreciation of Woody Allen may be a good thing, a little navel-gazing goes a long way. And The Art of Getting By has a lot of navel-gazing.
Overall, it all feels like a first stab at film-making, which is exactly what it is. Writer and director Gavin Wiesen makes an admirable debut, but again, this feels like first explorations of someone still finding their way with Some lovely camera shots being mixed with a really disappointing ending or missed plot opportunities.
The Art of Getting By does exactly what it does on the tin, it's fairly artsy and it gets by on the charm of its front two performers. Just.
The Art of Getting By is out now.
FemaleFirst Cameron Smith