The Spectacular Now
August 2013
4
4
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Synopsis
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Google Play reviews now use Google+ so it's easier to see opinions from people you care about. New reviews will be publicly linked to your Google+ profile. Your name on previous reviews now appears as "A Google User".
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Reviews
4.3
1,411 total
5 825
4 330
3 141
2 64
1 51
Andrea Gronvall
[A] nuanced and unsentimental coming-of-age film.
Rene Rodriguez
This adaptation of Tim Tharp's novel, directed with delicate restraint by James Ponsoldt, sneaks up on you. It makes you laugh, then it breaks your heart.
Adam Graham
Teller and Woodley hum together, and the movie does their performances justice.
Joe Williams
This coming-of-age movie should appeal to smart, sensitive young people who haven't been exposed to the better examples of the genre.
Colin Covert
The film is engrossing all the way through, the sweetest, saddest, most humane movie I've seen all year.
Lisa Kennedy
So many films featuring teens seem overstimulated or familiar. This one strikes a deep, rich note and holds it.
Critic reviews
Rene Rodriguez
This adaptation of Tim Tharp's novel, directed with delicate restraint by James Ponsoldt, sneaks up on you. It makes you laugh, then it breaks your heart.
Adam Graham
Teller and Woodley hum together, and the movie does their performances justice.
Joe Williams
This coming-of-age movie should appeal to smart, sensitive young people who haven't been exposed to the better examples of the genre.
Colin Covert
The film is engrossing all the way through, the sweetest, saddest, most humane movie I've seen all year.
Lisa Kennedy
So many films featuring teens seem overstimulated or familiar. This one strikes a deep, rich note and holds it.
Liam Lacey
By the end of The Spectacular Now, you're not quite ready to let these characters go.
User reviews

Good if you haven't read the book. I would have liked this movie if I never read the book. The book goes into much more detail of the characters and story. The movie however rushed things along too quickly, I get that things have to be cut or changed so the movie isn't 5 hours long but they just did so bad adapting it to a movie and not to mention the ending was completely different from the book. Not happy with the movie

Insightful, Endearing, and Disparate This is a film that explores self definition and coming of age in a way that resonates with a viewer from every stage of life. The characters push at their bounds from the moment they enter view and so elegantly define and distinguish themselves throughout that the film shines despite a lack of a central or very linear plot mechanic. Though it would have done well enough without to be enjoyable, the presence of a very impressive amount of sharp dialogue transforms the film from entertainment to art.
Beautiful Such an amazing movie; no doubt one of the best of the year. As a teen going through a similar time in my life I felt that I connect with this movie not only as a medium for entertainment, but as something to which I can relate. An absolutely stunning movie that tugs on the heart strings. It'll be over before you know it and you'll find yourself asking for more.

Extraordinary The acting is organic, the script beautifully written and thought provoking, and the characters are incredibly charming. It is a romance, but there's much more to take in from this picture. Life isn't easy for many of us, but if we make our days count and learn from our mistakes we'll lead wonderful lives with spectacular stories to tell.
Definitely Spectacular This is one of the best teen movies I've seen in a long time and I'm 17. The acting is great all the way around and it's hard not to feel connected to any of the characters. Another thing I liked was the authenticity of the teenage representation. It shows that not all teens just drink and party, even though there was all of that in the movie, it was still good. I felt very relatable to the film since it almost reflects how I feel about life. Loved how it wasn't totally a generic romance movie too.
Cast and credits
Additional information
Rotten tomatoes® score
Audio language
Subtitles
English
Rental period
Start within 30 days, finish within 48 hours.
Info cards
Run time
95 minutes
Rating
R
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