Okay, so we all know Josh Radnor from his many years as the "unlucky-in-love" lead, Ted, from popular sitcom 'How I Met Your Mother'. We might also know him from his first and only other directorial outing 'happythankyoumoreplease' from 2010. That was a cute, emotional and very enjoyable little indie charmer that showed Mr. Radnor had a flair for independent comedy drama and an ear for pretty realistic, though sometimes delayed, dialogue. Enjoyable, some might say passable, but still very much worth seeing.
So when news of Josh’s second time in the fabric backed, star emblazoned chair was confirmed I found myself reading up and making attempts to keep a close eye on this little project. A project that would become “Liberal Arts” and in turn become the best film that Josh Radnor has yet made.
I saw Liberal Arts on a Friday on its first showing in a theatre with only six more people, some quietly munching on popcorn but all obviously excited to see the film. I will say that in a quiet theatre setting with very few people to make noise is the nicest way to enjoy a film, but on it’s first showing on release day it was a little bit surprising that more people didn’t pick up a ticket to see something that I feel is a nice breath of fresh air in a blockbuster heavy season of film, a breath of independent cinema that welcomes you with humour, drama and an excellent cast.
The story, in a fairly large nutshell, tells of Jesse Fisher (Radnor), a thirty-five year old man who has been floating unexcitedly through the years that followed his university education where he studied English and History. He heads back to his old college stomping ground to see his favourite professor retire and to show his gratitude for said teachers’ effect on him in his youth. It is there that he meets Zibby (Elisabeth Olson), a sparky nineteen year old who enjoys her improv group and reads the occasional book, unapologetically I might add, about sparkly vampires, much to the dismay of Jesse, but I'm getting ahead of myself. They strike up a friendship and begin to spend time together drinking coffee, talking about college, books, relationships and all the things that two people about to lose their heads over their heels tend to talk about. Jesse begins to realise that things are getting a little serious and so he does the ‘age-math’ in which he realises that Zibby, though advanced and mature, is sixteen years his junior. This is a problem, yes, in the eyes of his professor friend too, it is a problem. I won’t go on because it would spoil things and this is a film to be enjoyed, not spoiled.
Radnor gives a heartfelt performance and is very likeable as the confused and disappointed-by-life guy, but at times I felt like I was going to see Neil Patrick Harris run on screen and label one of the scenes Legen, wait for it, dary. In other words, it felt like his previous characters from film and television were very similar to this one and while the character of Jesse isn’t a bad one or an unlikeable one it doesn’t seem to be a stretch for Mr. Director either. Still, this doesn’t stop the enjoyment.
Elisabeth Olson, as is becoming commonplace, is terrific here. Warm, funny, inviting and very authentic, she offers something seldom seen in romantic comedy these days, a strong will without being hard faced and a personality that wont apologise for opinion and emotion. She plays the part brilliantly and when she isn’t on screen you tend to wish she was. The smaller parts are also worth mentioning. Richard Jenkins plays the reluctant retiree professor with a hint of sarcasm and wit while also giving a depth and sadness to a role that is not there for very long. Allison Janney as the former professor who hates gooey-hearted un-manly men is a fun addition too. Zac Effron is a bizarre choice for the hippy-ish, peace and love-er that gives advice in the form of t-shirt slogan like life affirmations, but he incites a laugh or two so it doesn’t really matter how unnecessary he actually is. Elizabeth Reaser plays a librarian for a short time two and is another warm heart in what is a very solid cast.
I laughed, felt sadness and just thoroughly enjoyed ‘Liberal Arts’. There’s nothing offensive here, and I suppose there’s nothing ground-breaking either. It depends on your outlook really as to whether or not you feel like you’ve heard this story before, but with the depth and credibility that the characters have it is hard to say you’ve seen anything quite like it.
It looks pretty, sounds pretty (it even has a glorious classical score) and most of all it leaves the viewer, or me at least, with thoughts of life, love and the future, in a positive way for once.
4 out of 5
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