The Art of Getting By

PG-13

Released Jun 17, 2011

1 hr. 24 min.

Comedy

Drama

List

20%

112 Reviews

Tomatometer

46%

10,000+ Ratings

Audience Score

George (Freddie Highmore) is a senior at a posh Manhattan prep school, but his disaffected attitude leaves little room for toeing the line. He'd rather doodle and read philosophy, and he strenuously avoids his parents (Rita Wilson, Sam Robards) whenever possible. Unfortunately, George's attitude is endangering his chances of graduating. Then he meets Sally (Emma Roberts). George finds himself falling in love with her, but an older artist (Michael Angarano) adds a complication to the mix.

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Critics Consensus

A sitcom-level twee mess that bakes in the typical manic pixie dream girl and boring, withdrawn boy hero.

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Brittanii C

This was technically a movie. There were actors, a soundtrack, and scenes and that made it a movie. Thats about the nicest thing I can say. Lacked depth, lacked coherent plot, lacked flavour, lacked lacked lacked.

Rated 1.5 out of 5 stars

03/16/24

Full Review

Amanda L

A movie about teens that manages to grasp the ageless force of true love. While the leads are high school seniors on the brink of graduation, the narrative was pure enough to speak about what it takes to ascend from any level to something higher and unknown. As for criticisms that the heroine fell into the "manic pixie dream girl" trope—just no. She had some major demons which were in fact tightly woven into the plot, serving as catalysts for character development. I'm giving it a five because, despite the rom-com box and coming-of-age bow, its sincerity was a surprising gift.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

03/15/24

Full Review

Cristian s

Mejor de lo que esperaba, una película romántica sobre adolescentes que resulta tierna, inocente y fácil de empatizar.

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

02/10/24

Full Review

Vijak S

I feel like the first part of the movie is confused and a bit rush. The middle part was actually okay. Gorge having a hard time trying to find his purpose, but then he met this girl who gives him a spark somehow. Like a meaning or purpose to do something... For that part, I think the movie did a great job. Making me understand him and the whole arc of finally getting the homework done was motivating me to also do the same thing. But all of this is ruined by the choice to make gorge and Emma Robert's character get back together. She manipulated him! And I know that the movie tries to make us understand her perspective including the mentor. But it wasn't enough and the mentor character was just dull. Try to make him look complex when there is nothing, but just a plain sheet with random colors like his painting. (Actually his panting look way more complex than his character). Anyway, by making Gorge's last painting Emma Robert Character. It just feels like she is the whole reason that he start doing the work. And I know that they trying to say that he messed up by having a hard time telling her how he feels. But that reason wasn't interesting and it is not strong enough to make us side with Emma Robert's character. The ending that I think could make this way better: They should make him do all this for his mother and just focus on that in the end. Emma and gorge will end on good terms. In the diner scene, he will thank her for helping to start the spark inside of him, but that is it. Both of them go separate ways. After that just focuses on graduation. Also makes the scene more stressful. Like it 50/50 he could get called or maybe not. (don't make it as obvious as it is in the movie) And the painting can be anything except Emma Robert's character's face. Maybe his mom or just something that represents him. In the end, Mom congratulates him for finally graduating and they hug. End... What I just wrote is so simple, yet I think it is still better than the movie ending.

Rated 1.5 out of 5 stars

04/22/22

Full Review

Audience Member

Despite the harsh criticisms, I love how avant-garde the story was filmed. Simple and direct to the point, with just the right amount of cynicism at its core. If you ask me, it's quite refreshing to watch. And if it ain't your cup of tea? then, you probably shouldn't watch it.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

02/14/23

Full Review

Audience Member

Super sweet movie. I recommend it.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

02/24/23

Full Review

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Gavin Wiesen

Director

Freddie Highmore

George Zinavoy

Emma Roberts

Sally Howe

Michael Angarano

Dustin

Rita Wilson

Vivian Sargent

Blair Underwood

Principal Martinson

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Tim Robey

Daily Telegraph (UK)

Even by the standards of mopey teen rebels, this one really is a dreadful little prat.

Rated: 1/5

Sep 2, 2011

Full Review

Charlotte O'Sullivan

London Evening Standard

A glossy fudge.

Rated: 2/5

Sep 2, 2011

Full Review

Anthony Quinn

Independent (UK)

Rated: 2/5

Sep 2, 2011

Full Review

Richard Propes

TheIndependentCritic.com

The perfect title for a film in which first-time feature writer/director Gavin Wiesen is doing just that, getting by.

Rated: 2.0/4.0

Sep 2, 2020

Full Review

Kaleem Aftab

The List

A film of slight but wry observation.

Rated: 3/5

Nov 6, 2018

Full Review

Joseph Walsh

CineVue

The film takes elements of the genre and makes them its own and, more importantly, it does it well.

Rated: 3/5

Aug 29, 2018

Full Review

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Synopsis

George (Freddie Highmore) is a senior at a posh Manhattan prep school, but his disaffected attitude leaves little room for toeing the line. He'd rather doodle and read philosophy, and he strenuously avoids his parents (Rita Wilson, Sam Robards) whenever possible. Unfortunately, George's attitude is endangering his chances of graduating. Then he meets Sally (Emma Roberts). George finds himself falling in love with her, but an older artist (Michael Angarano) adds a complication to the mix.

Director: Gavin Wiesen
Executive Producer: Andrew Levitas, David Sweeney, Henry Pincus, Patrick Baker, Nick Quested, Gretchen McGowan, Jonathan Gray, Anthony Gudas
Screenwriter: Gavin Wiesen
Distributor: Fox Searchlight
Production Co: Gigi Productions
Rating: PG-13 (Sexual Content|Language|Teen Drinking|Teen Partying|Thematic Elements)
Genre: Comedy, Drama
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Jun 17, 2011, Wide
Release Date (Streaming): May 1, 2013
Box Office (Gross USA): $1.4M

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