 | ON: Content is age-appropriate for kids this age. |
 | PAUSE: Know your child; some content may not be right for some kids. |
 | OFF: Not age-appropriate for kids this age. |
 | NOT FOR KIDS: Not appropriate for kids any age. |
The Art of Getting By
- Review Date: June 17, 2011
- PG-13
- Genre: Drama
- 2011
Common Sense Media says
Inconsistent coming-of-age film includes teen drinking.
Parents say
QUALITY
Kids say
What parents need to know
Parents need to know that this quirky coming-of-age film may appeal to teens familiar with the restless boredom and paralyzing worries that the high school years can impose. Although things ultimately head toward an up note, some of the material is dark and moody. Expect scenes of underage drinking -- both in bars, which the characters likely were able to infiltrate with fake IDs (though this isn't made explicit), and at parties -- sometimes to the point of drunkenness, as well as references to sex (including an 18-year-old sleeping with an older man) and swearing (including infrequent use of "s--t" and "f--k").
What's the story?
George (Freddie Highmore), a senior at a private New York high school, has lost all motivation to perform. He hasn't turned in any of his homework and, though he's intelligent, he feels no need to share what he knows in class. What would be the point when life just feels so pointless? Then he meets Sally (Emma Roberts), a socially agile but complex classmate who's intrigued by George and invites him into a new world where everything seems both confusing and possible at the same time. Meanwhile, worries of the non-existential kind loom on the home front.
Is it any good?
There are so many jarring things about THE ART OF GETTING BY: Seeing Alicia Silverstone playing a frumpy teacher, for one, instead of the confused teen girl the lead is attracted to, and having the talented Blair Underwood reduced to a stereotype of a principal giving tough-love speeches. Every other back story here, for that matter, feels perfunctory and trite, of the type encountered before in angsty teenage movies.
Yet The Art of Getting By isn't completely without merit. First, it shows a New York that still dazzles despite (refreshingly) lacking all the familiar touchstones. And its main character is an enigma: George is dispassionate but not uptight. He's pessimistic but not neurotic, smart but not cripplingly so. His relationship with Sally is quirky in a surprising way: The beautiful, popular girl doesn't see the loner as just a friend, but likes him; he's the one who’s slow to respond. Their bond is interesting to watch and captures the ambiguous, complicated relationships that teens form these days. If only the movie could have skipped the cheap-shot ending.
What families can talk about
Families can talk about the movie's messages. What is it saying about teen relationships -- with each other and with adults?
Why is George so unmotivated? Do today's teens feel this more than kids did in years past? Does this movie portray teens' struggles realistically?
Do the worries and challenges facing George and his friends seem relatable? Why is graduation such a turning point for teens?
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AGE
The Art of Getting by
I think this movie is great and appropriate for kids 12 and over. I went to see it with my eleven year old daughter and it doesn't fill the bad descriptions that this website implies
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AGE
Just a depressing movie
This is a dark, depressing movie. And if you have seen many movies, you will feel like you have seen this one before. George is this presumably intelligent, lazy, lonely, depressed high school senior, who by chance becomes friends with one of the beautiful people. I found that even my the end of the movie I really didn't care about George or really anyone in the movie.
The adults for the most part allow this student to manipulate them and the system. His parental units are for the most part useless or worse. Also, isn’t the drinking age in New York 21? Not only is there drinking at parties, but two 18 year olds seem to be able to get alcohol anytime they want. It is presumed that all teens drink, smoke, and participate in sexual activity. There is not even a hypocritical religious person in the movie to provide any hope. You get to see George vomit after drinking too much. I do not remember any actual nudity, but there are some crude comments and flashes of a girl in her underwear, as well as another crude situation that I really can’t explain.
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AGE
More happening in one episode of Eastenders!
Rubbish went to see it because couldn't get in to see One Day. No storyline more happens in an episode of a soap ie Eastenders. Save your money!
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AGE
Watchable.
Hmm, this film wasn't too bad - definitely watchable, but not very exciting. Seemed emotionless, I didn't care too much for the characters, the story was pretty dull and lifeless most of the time. I guess it had me wanting more and didn't deliver. Freddie Highmore is usually an excellent actor but I found him to be a little boring in this - if you or your kids haven't seen August Rush...I highly recommend it over this one. Okay for teens 14 and up I think.
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AGE
Good movie about finding your calling and purpose
I love Freddie Highmore (George in the movie) hes a great teen actor and hes got real potential. I thought this was a great romance movie, it was lovely. Though it did feel like a drama through most of it, the drama worked with the plot.
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AGE
Not worth the time.
I thought that it was inappropriate that these highschoolers were drinking alcholic beverages in a restaurant and a bar. The fact that it was not addressed in the film that they must have had fake id cards, was confusing. I kept thinking, these kids are 18 aren't they? Or am I missing something???? It made it seem like it was o.k. for kids to be underage drinking. It's one thing for kids to be at a party, where kids might "get away with it" but drinking in the restaurant, and a parent also giving George the Bloody Mary in the morning to "cure" a hangover, sends mixed messages as well.
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| Studio: | Fox Searchlight |
| Director: | Gavin Wiesen |
| Cast: | Emma Roberts, Freddie Highmore, Michael Angarano |
| Genre: | Drama |
| Run time: | 84 minutes |
| Theatrical release date: | June 17, 2011 |
| DVD release date: | November 29, 2011 |
| MPAA rating: | PG-13 |
| MPAA explanation: | thematic elements including sexual content, language, teen drinking and partying |
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