The Art of Getting By Directed by: Gavien Wiesen Starring: Freddie Highmore, Emma Roberts, Michael Angarano Rating: PG-13 Release Date: June 17, 2011
TRAILER SCORE: 7/10
Thoughts by TSR: Well, I'll be damned if this movie doesn't make teen angst look so charming. I mean, the reality of it is certainly another story, but the trailer makes it look absolutely adorable, even if it does seem a little unrealistic. Then again, who goes to the movies for realism anymore?
Highmore does a solid job of selling slacker and old soul in the same breath, not an easy task for a trailer. Still, it's when the trailer lays all of its cards on the table that Highmore really takes off. I mean, this is a kid that I honestly don't remember seeing since that ill-fated Burton take on Charlie & the Chocolate Factory when he was still in a kid. No matter how old he is, he's certainly selling "grown-up" now.
Even Emma Roberts looks interesting in this. It's always been hard for me to buy her as anything but a good girl, but in this, there's a certain indescribable edge to her. It's nothing profound, but it's a change of pace that is more than welcome here. I'll be interested to see which direction the character takes, although I'm painfully afraid I already know.
Sure, it's two unique characters, but is the story really anything different? because at this point in the game, it doesn't seem like much. Judging from the music, which I enjoyed, and some of the shots in the trailer, The Art of Getting By feels a little too familiar to me. It's almost like (500) Days of Summer lite. Pretty much same story, maybe a little gender role reversal, but nothing too new. Or maybe it's just the "desperately trying to be indie" vibe I'm getting from it, but something about it says, no matter how well it's executed or how noble its intentions, I could stand to wait for this one. I'll definitely be sure to see it, it's just a matter of when.