Review: The Spectacular Now (James Ponsoldt, 2013)

Everyone knows, or has known, someone like our protagonist in The Spectacular Now, Sutter Keely (Miles Teller, Rabbit Hole). He’s the popular jock – a likable, confident guy who is a lot of fun to be around, but we know isn’t going places. He’s the class clown who doesn’t care about his grades and holds no aspirations for college. In fact, he seems to have no aspirations at all, other than to breeze through his casual job, cruise around the neighbourhood and have as much day-to-day fun as he can. He’s the kind of guy you enjoy having around, and who’s wild behaviour you humour, but ultimately feel a little sorry for.

Sutter is also a guy that has developed, through the introduction to alcohol from a young age, a concerning drinking problem. This affliction creates a suppressive haze over Sutter’s grim realities and an exaggerated carefree attitude. Young love, coping with an absent parent and learning to personally cultivate your individual identity, with timely consideration for not just the present, but the future too, are other key themes addressed within. The Spectacular Now is adapted from Tim Tharp’s novel of the same name by Scott Neustadteu and Michael H. Weber (500 Days of Summer).

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