Liberal Arts Movie Review

Liberal Arts Movie Review, Written by: Karen Benardello Director: Josh Radnor Starring: Josh Radnor (TV’s ‘How I Met Your Mother’), Elizabeth Olsen (‘Martha Marcy May Marlene’), Richard Jenkins, Allison Janney and Zac Efron People often have memories of a particular time period in their lives that they often look back at with nostalgia, and remember them with an elevated admiration that they’re not worthy of receiving. That’s certainly the case amongst the main characters in the new comedy-drama ‘Liberal Arts,’ which is the directorial and writing follow up to actor Josh Radnor’s helming and script debut, the 2010 comedy-drama-romance ‘Happythankyoumoreplease.’ ‘Liberal Arts’ is a meaningful, thought-provoking look into how people of all ages continuously look for acceptance, the meaning of their life and how to re-live the most memorable and best days of their lives. ‘Liberal Art’s follows newly single Jesse Fisher (played by Radnor), a university admission counselor in his mid-thirties living in New York City. He returns to his Ohio alma mater for a retirement dinner for his favorite English professor, Peter Hoburg (portrayed by Richard Jenkins). While back on campus, Jesse has a chance meeting with 19-year-old Zibby (played by Elizabeth Olsen), a precocious undergrad who loves classical music, improv and the ‘Twilight’ books. Meeting Zibby awakens long-dormant feelings of possibility and connection in Jesse, as the duo strikes up a long-distance romance. Although Zibby is mature behind her years, the large age difference between the two heavily weighs on Jesse’s conscience. As he debates starting a relationship with Libby, Jesse becomes torn between moving forward in life and holding on to the memories of his own unforgettable undergraduate career. His life is also put into prospective after he meets upbeat party animal Nat (portrayed by Zac Efron); depressed student Dean (played by John Magaro) and his former, feisty Romantics professor, Judith Fairfield (portrayed by Allison Janney). Radnor scripted a heart-felt love letter to many people’s liberal arts college education with his second comedy-drama. He also created a relatable main character in Jesse, who takes over a decade to realize that being stuck in his academic ways is just holding him back. The 35-year-old Jesse undergoes an important, meaningful journey throughout the course of ‘Liberal Arts,’ leading him to realize that his mind is too over-developed and mature to remain in the college student lifestyle. His emotional journey also makes him realize that his nostalgic feelings and longing for a simpler time is holding him back from enjoying his adult life. To continue reading this review, please visit Shockya.