{Movie Review} Liberal Arts

IMDb

When 30-something Jesse returns to his alma mater for a professor's retirement party, he falls for Zibby, a college student, and is faced with a powerful attraction that springs up between them.

I finally got around to seeing this movie the other day, and I truly enjoyed it! When I went to the IMDb page for it afterward, I received such a shocker - Josh Radnor, aside from starring in the film, had also written and directed it! I honestly had not known that....in fact, the only thing I had known about this movie going into it was its premise, since I just happened upon its trailer while surfing the web and made a mental note to check it out.

In the film, Radnor's character, 35-year-old Jesse Fisher, goes back to his old university upon receiving a phone call from an old professor he was always close with, who wanted Jesse to go to his retirement party. While back on campus, Jesse finds himself missing college life, and starts to yearn for the intellectual discussions and open approach to life that he's no longer been acquainted with since graduating.

During his visit, Jesse not only develops feelings for a 19-year-old sophomore, Zibby, but becomes friends with a free-spirited, and very friendly, tree-hugger named Nat, and develops a strong bond with the incredibly smart, but emotionally depressed Dean, also current students at Jesse's alma mater. Eventually, Jesse must decide whether he can still fit into suburban college life, or if he should return to New York City and accept that his life will no longer be like it was during his time as a student. Interestingly enough, his newly-retired professor finds himself having to make a similar choice.

Main Cast

Josh Radnor as Jessie Fisher

Elizabeth Olsen as Zibby

Richard Jenkins as Prof. Peter Hoberg

Allison Janney as Prof. Judith Fairfield

John Magaro as Dean

Zac Efron as Nat

Elizabeth Reaser as Ana

I am completely in love with this movie! I thought that the writing and acting were both superb, but what I really enjoyed was the casting. All of the actors right for their roles, and I especially loved watching Zac Efron as Nat. I normally don't care for Efron, since I only know him for his work in the High School Musical franchise (and his voice acting in The Lorax), but he was really good in this role, and his character quickly became my favorite part of the film!

I also felt that I could heavily relate to the main character, Jessie. I may only be 23 and still rather fresh out of college, but after 2 years in the "real world," I already find myself unsatisfied with my life and wanting to go back. And I found it incredibly hilarious that Jessie had a laundry bag exactly the same as mine (rips and all) and it got stolen with all of his dirty clothes. I constantly worry about checking my clothes often enough at the public laundry facilities I go to so that they don't get stolen, and seeing that happen in the film had me doubled over. I knew my worries were for a reason!

Anywho, if you're looking for a cozy independent film with a strong story and some great characters (plus a few laughs here and there), then I highly recommend this one!