The Spectacular Now (2013)

Directed by James Ponsoldt. Starring Miles Teller, Shailene Woodley, Jennifer Jason Leigh, Brie Larson, Kyle Chandler, Mary Elizabeth Winstead, Bob Odenkirk, Dayo Okeniyi, Kaitlyn Dever. [R]

Ambitious, sometimes affecting teen movie of alcoholic high school senior Teller who meets a shy nice girl (Woodley) that helps change his outlook and make him come to terms with his troubled life. Refreshingly avoids many of the pitfall clichés of the genre; scripting is a little on-the-nose at times, but credit is due for not trying to wrap everything up with dramatic life changes (nothing is remotely certain of Teller’s future prospects, including his relationship with Woodley). The main characters project authenticity, though it’s never made clear what brings them together and why (despite the usual ups, downs, ins and outs) they stick it out most of the way. The actors, however, lean into the personalities of their characters and follow suit: Teller’s unappealing performance does no favors for his problematic screw-up, and Woodley’s uncertainty makes her character’s anxious mannerisms more pretentious. The supporting cast doesn’t usually get more than a couple of scenes to leave their mark; Leigh and Odenkirk fare best. Based on a novel by Tim Tharp.

69/100