The Art of Getting By

Play trailer

The Art of Getting By

PG-13

Released Jun 17, 2011

1h 24m

Comedy

Drama

Play Trailer

Watchlist

Watchlist

Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

20%

Tomatometer

110 Reviews

46%

Popcornmeter

10,000+ Ratings

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.

Watch on Fandango at Home

Buy Now

Critics Consensus

A sitcom-level twee mess that bakes in the typical manic pixie dream girl and boring, withdrawn boy hero.

Read Critics Reviews

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

Read all reviews

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

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

Audience Member

If you're looking for Oscars material, then move along. But if you're looking for a cute movie that makes you fondly remember the awkwardness of young first love, then this is the place for you. Freddie Highmore has certainly grown as an actor, as has Emma Roberts. Looking at Highmore's body of work, maybe the awkward, love-scared young man is his schtick. But I can't help, thinking back on my own younger days and root for George Zinavoy!

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

02/07/23

Full Review

Read all reviews

Read More

Read Less

POST RATING

WRITE A REVIEW

EDIT REVIEW

Gavin Wiesen

Director

Freddie Highmore

George Zinavoy

Emma Roberts

Sally Howe

Michael Angarano

Dustin

Rita Wilson

Vivian Sargent

Blair Underwood

Principal Martinson

Show Less Cast & Crew

Show More Cast & Crew

It's Kind of a Funny Story

59%

66%

It's Kind of a Funny Story

Watchlist

The Way, Way Back

83%

84%

The Way, Way Back

Watchlist

St. Vincent

77%

78%

St. Vincent

Watchlist

Another Year

93%

74%

Another Year

Watchlist

Admission

37%

32%

Admission

Watchlist

Discover more movies and TV shows.

View More

Critics Consensus: It’s Not Easy Being Green Lantern

View more photos

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
Producer: P. Jennifer Dana, Kara Baker, Gia Walsh, Darren Goldberg
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
Runtime: 1h 24m

Most Popular at Home Now