Common Sense Media Review
By S. Jhoanna Robledo
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Inconsistent coming-of-age film includes teen drinking.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 15+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Watch
Videos and Photos
The Art of Getting By
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.
Talk to Your Kids 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?
Movie Details
- In theaters : June 17, 2011
- On DVD or streaming : November 29, 2011
- Cast : Emma Roberts , Freddie Highmore , Michael Angarano
- Director : Gavin Wiesen
- Inclusion Information : Female Movie Actor(s)
- Studio : Fox Searchlight
- Genre : Drama
- Run time : 84 minutes
- MPAA rating :
- MPAA explanation : thematic elements including sexual content, language, teen drinking and partying
- Last updated : September 21, 2019
Did we miss something on diversity?
Research shows a connection between kids' healthy self-esteem and positive portrayals in media. That's why we've added a new "Diverse Representations" section to our reviews that will be rolling out on an ongoing basis. You can help us help kids by
Suggest an Update
Common Sense Media's unbiased ratings are created by expert reviewers and aren't influenced by the product's creators or by any of our funders, affiliates, or partners.
See how we rate