George, a lonely and fatalistic teen who's made it all the way to his senior year without ever having done a real day of work, is befriended by Sally, a popular but complicated girl who recognizes in him a kindred spirit.
This is a film of slight but wry observation.
Though woozily shot and well acted, embracing Gavin Wiesen’s low-key coming-of-ager depends on whether you find its hero a self-important prick.
The Art of Getting By is aptly named: the film barely manufactures enough incident and drama to justify staying for its conventional resolution.
A likeable debut from director Gavin Wiesen that will appeal to teens. And, my, hasn't that Freddie Highmore grown up.
Not funny, quirky, or particularly insightful.
Lacklustre, and played without any spark or vitality.
Freddie Highmore is on tremendously annoying form in this hapless quirky-teen love story.
A big yawn.
The trembly acoustic soundtrack and the doe-eyed looks of Highmore ache with sensitivity but they didn't, alas, stop me from checking my watch.
Wallowing in a pool of Leonard Cohen songs.
A film for dimwitted dilettantes only.
It's all been done before and done much better in the likes of Garden State and The Wackness. This, on the other hand, is just whack.
Even by the standards of mopey teen rebels, this one really is a dreadful little prat.
It's a glib, smug movie, its smart, upper-middle-class Manhattan attractively photographed, and [protagonist] George's problems are painlessly solved.
A big problem is the miscasting of the lead role.
General release. Check local listings for show times.
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