MOVIE REVIEW -The Art Of Getting By

Small movies sometimes are diamonds in the rough.

I'm not so sure The Art Of Getting By is, but it is honest. Honest enough that it could be tough for some parents who have honest self awareness to watch. I've heard it described as a "teen coming of age" movie, and I guess it literally is. But to me it was more.

TAOGB is very straight forward social commentary. It's the story of George and Sally, and their various friends and acquaintances in high school. Set in modern day, George and Sally go to a private school in New York City. George is as unmotivated in life and school as one can be. He is also completely isolated and socially terrible. He is a walking statue. Sally is pretty, outgoing, but also totally scraping by. So are all of their friends, and everyone in their lives. These kids and young adults are living adult lives long before they should or are ready. And are not better for it.

But what a surprise. They have all been raised by equally self centered, immature, hands off parents who have let the kids call the shots. Their parents have made one horrible decision after another and are shocked when their kids do the same. This is the fruit of their lack of labor. Entitled kids with no real direction in life that's meaningful, just like their parents. Pretty powerful stuff. Hard to watch at times, about a problem that could be far too common.

George is on the verge of not graduating high school and just being swallowed up by the world. And Sally just wants to be happy, and loved. Can they work this out? Life, and their lives? That's the deal here. My take on this flick was, this was a bad parenting wake-up call movie as much as a teen flick. Told through the teens eyes, it shows what the modern teen can go through when there is nothing there for them at home. Of course, all bear some responsibility, but the commentary here is, all need to get in the game.

This is a very tidy little movie coming in at 80 minutes, and that's about all you can take. But this small movie takes on a big topic, and although I wanted to like this movie a lot, some is the best I can do. I respect the angle, and I respect the idea. But during the credits, it dawns on you that you've just been asked to have empathy for entitled East Coast kids of privilege as they seemingly squander away one chance after another that many would die for. And that will miss with many. Hard to cheer for anyone here.

The Art of Getting By. New polish on an old idea. If you are a real movie goer, be one of the tens that will see this before it goes away - quickly.