Liberal Arts, which premiered at the 2012 Sundance Film Festival, is Radnor's sophomore directorial film (the first being happythankyoumoreplease). A story about how art can help one make sense of life, Radnor plays Jesse Fisher, 35, a college admissions counselor who returns to his old college to honour one of his favourite college English professors (Richard Jenkins). There, he meets Zibby (Elizabeth Olsen), a student 16 years his junior, who is much wiser beyond her years. Zibby's love for classic literature and music fuels his attraction to her, but the age difference is almost too much for him to handle. When Zibby finally admits her feelings and secrets to him, he is afraid to hurt her and leaves.
Elizabeth Olsen (Zibby) and Josh Radnor (Jesse). Source: Guardian UK
Along the way he meets Dean (John Magaro) and Nat (Zac Efron), two students who help him along the way to figure out his feelings and emotions. Dean's struggle with depression and Nat's eccentric personality both help Jesse realize that there is more to life than the present, and that there are bigger and better things to come in the future. But to me, these were some pretty distracting side stories. They didn't add anything substantial to the plot or character development. Nat was a bit crazy and made me chuckle here and there, but Dean's hospitalization was a sorry attempt at tugging on the heart strings.
This film although enjoyable to watch, was just that. For a film that's supposed to be quasi romantic, it was low on the romance. You root for Zibby and Jesse the whole time, and at the end of the film you don't even know what happens to them. They break it off, and then that's it. How anti-climatic.
This movie had it's bright and witty moments, but nothing major enough to make you laugh, cry or think hard enough. I was expecting there to be an epiphany moment, but my hoping was to no avail. However, there are some life lessons and truths to be uncovered while watching this movie.
I will say that Radnor and Olsen's on-screen chemistry was so easy to watch. There scenes together were so intimate and personal that I felt as if I was intruding in on a private conversation. As a viewer, you became part of their world, albeit short lived. That's partly why I will admit that I enjoyed this film. What it lacks in the form of a thought provoking script, though, is compensated through a general affection for the characters that grows as the film continues. This film is light, airy, and easy to watch. Although it was not void of content, it felt empty and unfinished, leaving me with unanswered questions.
Classic lit fans will find comfort in this movie as there are many references to some literary giants (Lionel Trilling, JD Salinger, and Edmund Wilson to name a few). There's not a doubt in my mind that viewers will find this movie enjoyable, but it won't have that lasting effect that others do. It's a middle of the road film: you can't hate it, but you won't love it. At least that's how I feel.
Rating: 6/10
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