Liberal Arts

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Liberal Arts

PG-13

Released Sep 14, 2012

1h 37m

Comedy

Drama

Romance

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Popcornmeter

72%

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114 Reviews

60%

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5,000+ Ratings

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.

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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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

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Chase Whale

Film.com

Poetic justice Is served in insightful LIBERAL ARTS

Nov 8, 2013

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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

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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

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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

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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

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William W

I enjoyed this movie because, like its protagonist, I am also in my mid-thirties and finally choosing to grow up. The realization of this film is that we never truly feel grown up we simply recognize we are no longer young and move forward reminding ourselves of it.

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

05/28/24

Full Review

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

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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

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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

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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
Producer: Brice Dal Farra, Claude Dal Farra, Lauren Munsch, Jesse Hara, Josh Radnor
Screenwriter: Josh Radnor
Distributor: IFC Films
Production Co: BCDF Pictures
Rating: PG-13 (Sexual Content|Mature Thematic Material|Sexual References|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
Runtime: 1h 37m