Fox Searchlight is my favorite indie and british film distributor. They don't ever let me down. Even with their newest release, The Art of Getting By.
Getting By has been getting lots of crap from the critics though. Its been leveled down to nothing but shallow, uninteresting dialogue, underdeveloped characters, and a slow, cliche storyline.
But I say that Getting By is fantastic.... to a certain group of people. It might not be for everyone, but what independent movie is. If you want to appeal to the masses then create a blockbuster with lots of explosions and make it 3D.
Getting By is the debut film from Gavin Wiesen. Wiesen may not get hired again to write a script, but as far as a director goes...he will have a fantastic career. I'm a sucker for the beautiful and this film swims in it. Gavin has a way of turning the most insignificant moments into works of beauty.
The plot is your typical romantic comedy about the lost and lonely boy befriending the popular girl. It is cliche, but it works. Freddie Highmore (who hasn't had AS hard of a time transitioning into adulthood as other child stars BUT should refrain from kissing girls) and Emma Roberts are both fantastic actors....and while they may not has been given the best dialogue to work within this film....they make up for it with their non-verbals. Michael Angarano also does a good job playing the misunderstood artist.
I think they best part of Getting By is that you are never sure who to feel for. The situations are so ambiguous that we feel much like the lead character, unsure of how to care.
While I won't consider it a front runner for an Oscar....I think Getting By has much to offer. Mostly it serves as inspiration for anyone who's ever felt like they've had a hard time really caring about anything. And that quite possibly the coldness won't last for ever.
OVERALL RATING: 7/10
