Synopsis: Jessie
(Radnor) returns to his old college for his old professor’s retirement party
and it’s during that weekend that he meets a student, Zibby (Olson). The two
hit it off right away but the 16 year age difference poses a problem to their
growing relationship.
Elizabeth Olson’s Zibby deems
Josh Radnor’s Jesse a “snob” in one scene of Liberal Arts – a point of criticism that could be exercised in
discussion of Radnor’s second writing and directorial feature. Radnor paints a
picture of love, life and learning with copious amounts of brainy references,
yet even with some ostentatious scripting the film feels wonderfully
refreshing. Many may leave Liberal Arts
complaining of its pretentiousness and pseudo-intellectual musings but these
should not be taken as negative aspects of the filmmaking. On the contrary,
Radnor is writing with smarts and sensibilities seldom seen in recent cinema.
Only a few romantic comedies stand the test of time or win over the harshest of
critics and they do this by revising the genre or adding a sense of humanity to
it. I’m thinking of such examples as Manhattan,
Annie Hall, When Harry Met Sally,
Before Sunrise/Sunset and (500) Days of Summer, with Liberal Arts judiciously getting its
place among them.
Having made his first cinematic
effort with Happythankyoumoreplease,
Radnor seems to improving on both scripting and directing. Liberal Arts not only feels mature and well-thought out, it is also
acted with beautiful charisma and feeling. It is no wonder that two of Radnor’s
favourite films include Before Sunrise and Before Sunset; his own
angle on the dialogue between two people falling for one another is as sharp
and poignant as Richard Linklater’s. The way Radnor also presents himself in
the film – an incredibly down-to-earth romantic philosopher – is not so
different to Ethan Hawke, each actor able to win audience’s hearts. As a friend
of Jesse’s wonders, “I’m not sure why I like this guy so much?” the retort is
perfectly apt: “It’s because he’s likeable”. Likeable indeed; Radnor is simply
too kind of person on and off screen to make you bored or disapproving of what
he has to say.
Joining Radnor on his journey of
love’s inquest is the brilliant Elizabeth Olson - who is understandably becoming
recognised as a new star. She has the enchanting eyes of Grace Kelly and the
wholesome, girl-next-door qualities of a young Michelle Pfeiffer that gives her
a radiant presence. She lends herself effortlessly to the role of 19-year-old
college student, Zibby, who could be the apple of many men’s eye. The chemistry
between Radnor and Olsen is so palpable, giving the film a naturalistic edge.
This authenticity is not only confined to the two leads but spreads out to the
splendid supporting cast that includes Richard Jenkins, Allison Janney, John
Magaro and Zac Efron. All of the supporting roles have been written with loving
care so that the scenes not embracing Zippy and Jessie’s romance entertain just
as equally. The supports also get at least one scene devoted to them and Radnor
makes sure they don’t miss their chance to shine; Efron and Janney, especially,
get hilarious scenes crafted for their characters so much so that their absence
can be displeasingly felt.
Liberal Arts is quite simply a delight. It should not be classed as
a formulaic “rom-com”; it is instead a “romantic comedy” - an advanced example
of the genre. Radnor has used his fame and fortune from How I Met Your Mother very wisely – making films that could
entertain a huge audience. Chances are this film will not be enjoyed all round
due to its intellect – it poses troubling issues and relates to the arts
perhaps too frequently for universal appeal. The masses that want a stale
rom-com can wait a week and get their wish, for those who want more from a
romantic comedy will certainly find it in
this.
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