Liberal Arts

PG-13

Released Sep 14, 2012

1 hr. 37 min.

Comedy

Drama

Romance

List

71%

115 Reviews

Tomatometer

60%

5,000+ Ratings

Audience Score

A New York college adviser (Josh Radnor) becomes involved with a student (Elizabeth Olsen) when he returns to his alma mater in Ohio for a favorite professor's (Richard Jenkins) retirement party.

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Critics Consensus

While it's hard not to wish it had a little more bite, Liberal Arts ultimately succeeds as a good-natured -- and surprisingly clever -- look at the addictive pull of nostalgia for our youth.

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Istiak M

A person who's so close to my heart suggested this movie and another relatable movie.So, can't elaborate too much. Still gonna say Elizabeth Olsen gave a good performance in this movie.I loved some of the romantic portion of the movie which I didn't experience. Worth watching.

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

12/02/23

Full Review

Cristian s

No esta mal, un buen mensaje sobre la nostalgia, relaciones y como solemos romantizar excesivamente ciertas cosas. Pienso que por momentos necesitaba mas ritmo pero bueno, así es la vida.

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

10/05/22

Full Review

Audience Member

Surprisingly heartfelt and has that strong theme of nostalgia and youth. It's a well balanced kind of film.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

02/05/23

Full Review

andy h

The main character is a tad snobby and hypocritical, but the rest of the film is a relatable, quirky footnote in the underrated indie gem collection.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

03/31/23

Full Review

dave j

Written, directed and starring Josh Radnor, he plays classic literature reader Jesse Fisher who while working in a NYC school as a counselor receives a phone call from one of his favorite instructors. And was offered as a guest host to speak on his retirement, and chooses the visit.

Rated 2 out of 5 stars

03/30/23

Full Review

Audience Member

okayyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyy

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

01/13/23

Full Review

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Josh Radnor

Director

Josh Radnor

Jesse

Elizabeth Olsen

Zibby

Richard Jenkins

Peter

Allison Janney

Judith

John Magaro

Dean

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Roxana Hadadi

Punch Drunk Critics

Liberal Arts seems aggressively cheery, determinedly lacking in negativity, and very affirming in its protagonist's masculine heroism. None of it is a surprise, and as a result, not much of it is very good, either.

Rated: 2/5

Jan 9, 2017

Full Review

Chase Whale

Film.com

Poetic justice Is served in insightful LIBERAL ARTS

Nov 8, 2013

Full Review

David Stratton

At the Movies (Australia)

he characters are interesting and, again, I really felt for the guy's dilemma whether to start a relationship with this much, much younger girl or not.

Rated: 3.5/5

Dec 12, 2012

Full Review

Jordan M. Smith

IONCINEMA.com

Fervently free of cynicism, Radnor's latest feature transcends its quirks with a smartly wound college excursion that looks to the past and finds nostalgia, possibilities and a new outlook on life.

Nov 16, 2020

Full Review

Richard Propes

TheIndependentCritic.com

The final result is a film that satisfies intellectually despite occasionally dipping into the land of the formulaic.

Rated: 3.5/4.0

Sep 14, 2020

Full Review

Jim Ross

TAKE ONE Magazine

There's nothing revolutionary going on here, but LIBERAL ARTS will speak wittily to certain audiences with an enjoyable clarity and resonance.

Feb 13, 2020

Full Review

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Synopsis

A New York college adviser (Josh Radnor) becomes involved with a student (Elizabeth Olsen) when he returns to his alma mater in Ohio for a favorite professor's (Richard Jenkins) retirement party.

Director: Josh Radnor
Executive Producer: Peter Graham, Stephen Hays, Paul Prokop
Screenwriter: Josh Radnor
Distributor: IFC Films
Production Co: BCDF Pictures
Rating: PG-13 (Sexual References|Sexual Content|Mature Thematic Material|Some Teen Drinking)
Genre: Comedy, Drama, Romance
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Sep 14, 2012, Limited
Release Date (Streaming): Nov 30, 2016
Box Office (Gross USA): $241.8K

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