The Spectacular Now

Name: The Spectacular Now
Genre: Drama, Comedy, Romance
Released: August 2, 2013
Duration: 95 min
Rating: 82
Cast: Andre Royo, Bob Odenkirk, Brie Larson, Jennifer Jason Leigh, Kyle Chandler

2013

METASCORE

Universal acclaim based on 42 Critic Reviews

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USER SCORE

Generally favorable reviews based on 260 Ratings

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7.9

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7.9	Your Score
7.9	User Score Generally favorable reviews based on 260 Ratings

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The Spectacular Now

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Movie Details & Credits

A24 | Release Date: August 2, 2013 | R

Starring: Andre Royo, Bob Odenkirk, Brie Larson, Jennifer Jason Leigh, Kyle Chandler, Mary Elizabeth Winstead, Miles Teller, Shailene Woodley

Summary: This is the tale of Sutter Keely, a high school senior and effortless charmer, and of how he unexpectedly falls in love with "the good girl" Aimee Finecky. What starts as an unlikely romance, becomes a sharp-eyed, straight-up snapshot of the heady confusion and haunting passion of youth – one that doesn’t look for tidy truths. [A24]

Director: James Ponsoldt

Genre(s): Drama, Comedy, Romance

Rating: R

Runtime: 95 min

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Critic Reviews

100

Lawrence Toppman

Aug 22, 2013

Has an honesty few movies seek or achieve these days. Read full review

100

Joe Neumaier

Aug 1, 2013

The focus in James Ponsoldt’s affecting, intelligent drama is a pair of teenagers, and in them is so much complexity and heart that this casually paced gem feels rich in scope. They’re two of the most carefully created figures on screen this year, and yet their normalness takes us by surprise. Read full review

Betsy Sharkey

Aug 1, 2013

Miles Teller and Shailene Woodley, as high school seniors Sutter and Aimee, bring such an authentic face of confidence and questioning, indifference and need, pain and denial, friendship and first love, that it will take you back to that time if you're no longer there, and light a path if you are. Read full review

Todd McCarthy

Feb 28, 2013

Ordinary in some ways and extraordinary in others, The Spectacular Now benefits from an exceptional feel for its main characters on the parts of the director and lead actors. Read full review

Andrew O'Hehir

Aug 1, 2013

A memorable, imperfect, heartbreaking summer love story, a bit soapy in spots but loaded with power and feeling. Read full review

Stephanie Merry,

Aug 8, 2013

The movie captures the raw excitement and heartbreak of adolescence so completely that it manages to replace a seen-it-all jaded heart with the butterflies that accompany fresh experiences. Read full review

Kyle Smith

Aug 2, 2013

The teen movie The Spectacular Now begins like “Say Anything” but soon turns into “Drink Anything.” Read full review

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User Reviews

Eon2323

Aug 2, 2013

The Spectacular Now is everything its name implies. Miles Teller does a fine job playing a smooth-talking popular high school senior who relishes only on the "now", but I think that it was Sheilene Woodley's amazing performance that did it for me. You can see the hurt inside of these twoThe Spectacular Now is everything its name implies. Miles Teller does a fine job playing a smooth-talking popular high school senior who relishes only on the "now", but I think that it was Sheilene Woodley's amazing performance that did it for me. You can see the hurt inside of these two generally happy people and you witness the vices of the lead character that emanates to the most important people in his life. Definitely one of the summer's best films.… Expand

6 of 7 users found this helpful61

reellm

Jun 28, 2015

5/5★ I usually watch teen films with a cynical eye for a few reasons but for the purpose of discussing The Spectacular Now I will mention only two.
First off, its hard to enjoy a film when I'm distracted by the fact that the cast usually looks nothing like most teens I meet, and in fact are5/5★ I usually watch teen films with a cynical eye for a few reasons but for the purpose of discussing The Spectacular Now I will mention only two.
First off, its hard to enjoy a film when I'm distracted by the fact that the cast usually looks nothing like most teens I meet, and in fact are usually in their mid 20's and even early 30's (Glee, Grease, 90210) with rare exceptions (Freaks and Geeks, at least part of the cast in John Hughes films.) The Spectacular Now features a cast in their 20's but actually look their movie ages, which leads me to my second point: Appearance.
Its not unthinkable that a teen should be as attractive, put together and pimple free as so many of these teen oriented films and shows would have you believe but still, most teens don't have stylists and makeup artists polishing their look, so yeah, Gossip Girl and its ilk feel inauthentic to the average teenage experience because of something as basic as looks. Shailene Woodley's bare, makeup-less face is not the only refreshing thing in this coming of age film that has great acting, writing and casting (Bubbles! Coach! Saul!). Most noteworthy of all, the film avoids the clichés usually associated with the genre and is an intelligent study of youth standing on the precipice of adulthood, hesitating to move forward, something most teens can relate to.
Verdict: Watch.… Expand

0 of 1 users found this helpful01

Dragonfly44

Jan 28, 2019

At first i was unsure whether i’d enjoy the movie as much as i did. It didn’t really click with me but soon I found myself deeply involved with the characters and the writing. It’s just such an amazing movie. Rating - 89%

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

canhenha

Oct 18, 2013

James Ponsoldt's core strength in this film are the characters and the actors who bring it to life. Miles Teller and Shailene Woodley create two people who are trying to find their place in the world. Miles drinks himself to a stupor everyday, in order to avoid dealing with the fact that hisJames Ponsoldt's core strength in this film are the characters and the actors who bring it to life. Miles Teller and Shailene Woodley create two people who are trying to find their place in the world. Miles drinks himself to a stupor everyday, in order to avoid dealing with the fact that his dad left, and that he's afraid of being alone once his high school days are over (his micro-universe). Aimee on the other hand is smothered by a family life, that doesn't allow her to dream. In a way, they both end up being a catalyst for each other's lives. This web of relationships is captured in a naturalistic way by the director, who captures a slice of every day life, showcasing the dreams and expectations of the young and the sadness and some disillusionment of the older generation. The two lead actors are fantastic, as is the always great Jennifer Jason Leigh and the underrated Mary Elizabeth Winstead. A very good film worth watching!… Expand

0 of 1 users found this helpful01

eagleeyeviking

Feb 2, 2014

All of the cast (especially the leads) give top-notch performances in the sensitive, emotional, adroit and undoubtedly spectacular "The Spectacular Now".

1 of 2 users found this helpful11

spollard

Mar 23, 2014

Drinking and Driving is legal nowadays. This movie surprised me, coming in knowing the actor who was going to be in it I had average expectations but he was terrific. They could not have picked a better actress to play Aimee and she played the role beautifully. You actually become reallyDrinking and Driving is legal nowadays. This movie surprised me, coming in knowing the actor who was going to be in it I had average expectations but he was terrific. They could not have picked a better actress to play Aimee and she played the role beautifully. You actually become really attached to the characters which made this movie much more emotional than I ever though it could possibly be. The worst part of the movie was the two terrible actor/actress who played each others friends, just no need for them. Final rating is 68.9 out of 100.… Expand

0 of 1 users found this helpful01

amcgrath17

Apr 3, 2015

The spectacular now was one of the worst movies I have ever watched! the acting and story line was awful and i dont understand those who are giving this movie a 10/10 seriously it was the worst movie ever made! please someone tell me why they think it was a good movie? cause I have noThe spectacular now was one of the worst movies I have ever watched! the acting and story line was awful and i dont understand those who are giving this movie a 10/10 seriously it was the worst movie ever made! please someone tell me why they think it was a good movie? cause I have no reasons anyone would think it was good… Expand

1 of 6 users found this helpful15

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35	#35 Best Movie of 2013
89	#89 Most Discussed Movie of 2013
98	#98 Most Shared Movie of 2013