Hammerman Ikon

Hammerman Ikon Film Guide

The Spectacular Now
2013
****
Director: James Ponsoldt
Cast: Miles Teller, Shailene Woodley, Brie Larson, Jennifer Jason Leigh, Kyle Chandler, Mary Elizabeth Winstead, Masam Holden, Andre Royo

Sutter is a laid-back high school senior who lives one day at a time. While he hopes to woo back the ex who got tired of his aimless ways, Sutter settles for the shy and unassuming Aimee, but is he about to break the poor girl's heart? James Ponsoldt's romantically flavoured drama comedy was adapted from Tim Tharp's novel by Scott Neustadter and Michael H. Weber who wrote the sweet but overly quirky (500) Days of Summer. This one takes a while to find its groove, especially as its hero is an unlikeable semi-alcoholic motormouth, but it all eventually adds up to a charming little film with believably three-dimensional teenage characters. The story goes through many familiar situations, but more often than not it manages to stay fresh and steer clear of clichés. The central performances are very good. Miles Teller is thoroughly convincing as the carefree but self-deluding Sutter, and Shailene Woodley (who is maybe a bit too pretty to play the unpopular nerd) is lovely as Aimee, who is happy for any attention she can get.