I don't often find myself watching
movies a second time. But, while casting about on Netflix to find
something to see, I impulsively clicked on Liberal Arts for a
second watch.
It was an easy choice, something
predictably feel-good. And since it held up very well through a
second watch, it was also an obvious choice for a review.
I had a wonderful liberal arts
education myself at a small “community of scholars”, Shimer
college. I mourn the dumbing down of America which has been very real
and sad to experience. So seeing a celebration of good education,
smiling over literary references and generally relishing the life of
the mind as this movie does is reassuring for me. There are still
plenty of folks out there with those values.
Josh Radner does a good job playing the
lead character who is a 35 year old alum of a college that gets
invited back and gets involved with a 19 year old student. Richard
Jenkins does great support as a retiring professor, full of doubt and
apprehension at leaving the prison/oasis of academia after oh so many
years.
The inimitable Allison Janney plays a
cynical Romantics Professor. She is never less than delightful to
watch and she does not disappoint for this outing.
Elizabeth Olsen plays the young co-ed
brilliantly, just delicious with nary a false note.
Altogether it is a sweet comfort food
of a movie, especially if you have a liberal arts education.
Recommended.
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