The Spectacular Now

A24 | Release Date: August 2, 2013

7.9	USER SCORE Generally favorable reviews based on 262 Ratings

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User Reviews

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Trev29Dec 26, 2013

There is absolutely nothing to this movie. It stays flat the entire time. In order to like this film you have to have sympathy for the main character and I didn't because the performance was mediocre. The one thing that pretty much destroyedThere is absolutely nothing to this movie. It stays flat the entire time. In order to like this film you have to have sympathy for the main character and I didn't because the performance was mediocre. The one thing that pretty much destroyed this movie was that car scene that was extremely unintentionally funny when it shouldn't have been.… Expand

2 of 3 users found this helpful21

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LynJan 21, 2014

Do any of these critics have children??? The fact that virtually none of them seem alarmed at the continual, casual teen alcohol use in this movie is ... alarming. The 18-year-old protagonist (who could pass for 14) freely imbibes at parties,Do any of these critics have children??? The fact that virtually none of them seem alarmed at the continual, casual teen alcohol use in this movie is ... alarming. The 18-year-old protagonist (who could pass for 14) freely imbibes at parties, bars and clubs, supplementing that with slugs from his personal flask, often just before driving or even while at the wheel. Hey, I know it's not an after-school special. But I found this disturbing, not to mention the almost complete lack of consequences as the intelligent, articulate, supposedly popular (though he has only one friend?) alcoholic boy goes along his merry way. All that said -- extremely nice acting by both of the leads, who do look like real teenagers.… Expand

1 of 2 users found this helpful11

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csw12Dec 20, 2013

The Spectacular Now is everything but appealing, with the last 20 minutes being a drag. From the script to the acting, it doesn't give you anything to hate but also provides nothing to draw you in.

1 of 2 users found this helpful11

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jgzegerFeb 27, 2014

I've read a lot of reviews praising this movie, but I myself don't see what the fuss is about as it seems quite ordinary in every sense and there is nothing special about it. There must be something better to watch and I hope you find it.

1 of 3 users found this helpful12

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TheDavoOct 20, 2013

A good movie but not a great one. Sympathetic characters, great acting and a good story to tell. The last 3rd of the movie wanders and the ending seems pasted on like many American movies. Ultimately worth a watch.

1 of 3 users found this helpful12

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TVJerryAug 30, 2013

Miles Tanner ("21 & Over") has solidified his screen cred as an actor to watch with this nuanced and charismatic performance as a high school senior with issues. Shailene Woodley proves that "The Descendents" wasn't a fluke with herMiles Tanner ("21 & Over") has solidified his screen cred as an actor to watch with this nuanced and charismatic performance as a high school senior with issues. Shailene Woodley proves that "The Descendents" wasn't a fluke with her beautifully subtle and real portrayal of the awkward girl he befriends. While they create a memorable screen duo, the script is a bit slight. In an attempt to underplay the dramatic potential, it lacks much dynamic. Most of the first hour is spent creating their romance, followed by some predictable, yet mild complications. This is all dialogue and character, but the performances of these two young actors is the reason to see the film.… Expand

1 of 4 users found this helpful13

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phintlySep 14, 2013

I loved (500) Days Of Summer, one of my favorite movies. This movie left me wanting a lot more. I never connected with the characters, felt the "daddy issues" have already been done too many times, and how does a kid stay drunk that oftenI loved (500) Days Of Summer, one of my favorite movies. This movie left me wanting a lot more. I never connected with the characters, felt the "daddy issues" have already been done too many times, and how does a kid stay drunk that often (oftentimes while driving). The acting wasn't bad, but I just couldn't wait for the movie to end so I could leave the theater.… Expand

0 of 3 users found this helpful03

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BestponyFeb 14, 2014

It's a very charming and excellently acted film, but ends up being too fairytale-like. Aimee, especially, is just perfect in every way and her character really tested my suspension of disbelief. I would have rated The Spectacular Now higherIt's a very charming and excellently acted film, but ends up being too fairytale-like. Aimee, especially, is just perfect in every way and her character really tested my suspension of disbelief. I would have rated The Spectacular Now higher but my final impression was substantially soured by a terrible, didactic ending in which Sutter summarizes the whole story.… Expand

0 of 1 users found this helpful01

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heromoderApr 21, 2015

Some terrific acting here, but the script is pretty weak. Both leads are masters in their field; true up and comers in the industry. The connection was their, but the story didn't rise to the occasion.

0 of 1 users found this helpful01

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AcclamationNov 5, 2017

High school, coming-of-age, done ok.
This film goes a little more beyond the male "player" that gets his heart broken, and decides to **** another girl to create jealously with the girl he really loves.
There's a back history which getsHigh school, coming-of-age, done ok.
This film goes a little more beyond the male "player" that gets his heart broken, and decides to **** another girl to create jealously with the girl he really loves.
There's a back history which gets shown, but it's too little, too late. It's a slow, coming-of-age story, not really a love-story.
There is also a gratuitous, anti-drinking element throughout the whole film, which is distracting.

There was one terrible moment, which reminded me that this movie wasn't very good. . . There was a girl that has her first drink, grimaces, says that it tastes horrible, and then takes a second swig, and carries on a conversation as if she is drinking water.

The acting is pretty good. Teller is a character actor, which was definitely needed for this screenplay. He almost pulled it off, but he just doesn't have the looks to pull of it off for the character that this film was written for. Woodley is fine, because her role needs an ugly, nice girl.
Odenkirk worked, despite his fame at this point.… Expand

0 of 1 users found this helpful01

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amheretojudgeJun 8, 2018

is spectacular on terms of its unpredictability..

The Spectacular Now The premise is somewhat familiar and seems like your typical teenage movie stuff, but as it ages on screen, it grows into this mature character driven feature thatis spectacular on terms of its unpredictability..

The Spectacular Now

The premise is somewhat familiar and seems like your typical teenage movie stuff, but as it ages on screen, it grows into this mature character driven feature that contradicts its tone. The first half of it is slow, mushy-gushy and spends its time on setting the plot and the characters' track. There are few inedible clauses in here but if neglecting and moving past it, it offers much more than a romantic genre usually does. It is shot beautifully when it focuses on its love track and is perfectly balanced on the dark and light aspects of it; especially in its last act. James Ponsoldt has done a decent work on executing this uneven and unsettled feature but it definitely could have edited better and improved on some other technical aspects too. The performance is where the wheel gets stuck as its lead characters (Miles Teller and Shailene Woodley) are not in their A game whilst the supporting cast (Jennifer Jason Leigh, Mary Elizabeth Winstead and Brie Larson) is far better. The Spectacular Now is spectacular on terms of its unpredictability as it laughs over the expectation of the audience which it outgrows by a major margin.… Expand

0 of 1 users found this helpful01

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