Skip to main content

Dome Pondering Movie Review: Liberal Arts (2012)

What is it about? 

A thirty five year old alum returns to his college campus where he becomes conflicted with adulthood, growing up, and overall nostalgia when a powerful attraction occurs between him and a nineteen year old student. 

Who is in it? 

Josh Radnor - Jesse Fisher

Elizabeth Olsen - Libby

Richard Jenkins - Professor Peter Hoberg

Favorite Scene: 

After a rough day, Jesse runs into his random friend on the lawn of the campus who throws some zaney and wacky things his way which ultimately makes sense - thus letting him know that we shouldn't be afraid. 

Favorite Quote: 

"Any place you don't leave is a prison."

Review: 

Liberal Arts really took me by surprise. What started out as a film in which I thought would be a nice filler for the evening and carried on as such in the early going, steadily built into one of the most profound films on life, growth, and living I have ever seen. No hyperbole. 

The film overall carries a nice thoughtful dictation of growing old, and realizing that no matter how old you become, or try to deny your age, we all have more growing to do, and that growth whether fearful or not, is essential. Yeah, I know...like I said, very, very profound stuff. 

Josh Radnor did a remarkable job in writing, directing, and in the lead role. However, kudos to Elizabeth Olsen, yes, the younger sibling of the famous Olsen twins of Full House fame, who was a flat out ace in this film. 

Personally, as someone who is around 18-21 year old individuals daily for a living on a college campus, this film was very, very relatable for me. Still, being objective, Liberal Arts is highly recommended for all, especially for the short hour and thirty-seven minute run time. 

Grade: 3.75/5
Labels:

Recently Read

Quick Ponder: Future Self

We always think,  what would we say  to our  younger self? However,  what would  our younger self say  if they met us, today?
Read more

Knicks Trauma - Ugh Not Again

Well, that was a kick in the stomach.  Coming off a week where the word "catharsis" was used as the description for the euphoria and release of joy from two and a half decades of suffering, Game 1 of the Eastern Conference Finals against the Indiana Pacers brought about another word - trauma.  Watching the Knicks collapse was the kind of moments that come with these deep runs and moments. NBA Playoff basketball will do that. Yet, this loss - this one - feels about as bad as the 2004 ALCS when the Yankees collapsed in the series to the Boston Red Sox.  That one carries some serious trauma. Luckily, the series isn't over.  Some other quick thoughts from this awful, awful night, New York Knicks Basketball.  - Not to conjure up hyperbole, or even contribute to "hot take" sports reaction culture - but this might have been the worst loss in Knicks franchise history. I cannot think of another in my lifetime, or historically.  - Tyrese Haliburton's "choke"...
Read more

Knicks Back in ECF Causing Catharsis

I've certainly shared my emotions and thoughts regarding the New York Knicks on this site over the years. There have been plenty of those to sort through - most of them are rants. Tonight, the New York Knicks ultimately destroyed the Boston Celtics in Game 6 of the Eastern Conference Semi-Finals, 119-81. I sat on my couch, afraid to allow myself to feel joy until that final buzzer. As a Knicks fan, I've been through too much to allow myself to do anything else, to make any assumption, until it was final. Until it was confirmed. Until something couldn't fall through...the way we're used to.  Once it was final, it was unreal.  The New York Knicks are in the Eastern Conference Finals. For the first time since 2000.  I was 15 years old the last time that happened. And that was a run with a squad that I consider (still) to be my favorite Knicks team of all-time.  I sat on my couch with all sorts of feelings. My wife was likely trying to understand the moment. My son, exci...
Read more