THE NASHVILLE I
A film that never grows old. Somehow it always manages to pull the same bursts and nostalgia, youth and wistfulness out of you. Teller’s so likeable and charismastic, and Woodley is the perfect soft match to his rough edges. Certainly one of the most rewatchable films and indies this century.
Rated 4/5 Stars •
Rated 4 out of 5 stars
06/28/25
Full Review
Scotty M
It's New Years Eve and I've decided to review my favorite movie of the year. It isn't a blockbuster Hugh Jackman film or your typical Marvel superhero hit. In fact, this film never reached the cinemas.. It's a Sun-dance film festival drama that turned heads from all over the world. I never imagined that a film of this genre (drama) could turn my attention so much. I couldn't fathom the possibility of any movie surpassing Saving Mr. Banks but i guess i was wrong.
As we grow older and mature into adults, we miss more and more of that feeling of recklessness, invincibility and spontaneity that was involved in being a teenager. Learning to think ahead to the future was a crucial part of becoming an adult, and it’s this lesson that is at the center of James Ponsoldt’s stupendous coming-of-age drama The Spectacular Now.
The Spectacular Now centers on charismatic class rebel, Sutter Keely (Played by Miles Teller), a party animal whose reckless attitude wears thin with his peers as senior year draws to a close. His classmates, including his ex-girlfriend Cassidy (Brie Larson) are looking ahead to college, but Sutter can’t even complete an online college application form. Instead he doesn't take it seriously because he has no desire to go to College. A major part of Sutter’s problem is his drinking, as he is always stealing sips from a flask. Day drunk is a near constant state, and at night he amps it up ending up passed out on some random lawn in the middle of nowhere. This is where he is found one morning after by newspaper delivering Aimee Finicky (Shailene Woodley) a sweet, smart but plain girl who doesn't really register on the high school popularity charts. But she interests Sutter, so he follows his “live in the now” dictum and pursues her.
To both’s surprise, they find a deep connection, and love soon blossoms. Their support of each other inspires both to bravery. For Aimee, this means standing up to her mom about her choice of college. For Sutter, it means finding what happened to his long-gone dad. And from there, the film takes a dark turn in which Sutter must face who he is and what loving someone really means.
The acting performances from Miles Teller and Shailene Woodley are nothing short of perfect. But in my opinion, Woodley steals the film. For her part, Woodley is a brilliant foil. She beams with quiet confidence as Aimee, but what could have been a flat role of supportive girlfriend is given depth within Woodley’s graceful performance. Whether she’s learning how to own an f-bomb, tasting her first shot, or losing her virginity, Woodley’s Aimee feels real, made up of a mix of nervous enthusiasm and hopefulness. Together, Teller and Woodley create a young love that feels vibrant, beautiful and painfully fragile. Their chemistry is real, their actions and decisions are real and their maturity perfectly renders young adulthood.
Another highlight of this movie is Sutter's relationship with his father. Seeing Sutter with his Dad in the film really gives an indication as to why Sutter's behavior is the way it is. Although it may seem slightly endearing at first, it begins to appear upsetting to see the road that Sutter has inadvertently sent himself down. Sutter eventually comes to terms with the way that he's been living his life and for the first time, really starts to look at his future and what he wants it to look like.
One of the things that i admire most about the film is how truly real it appears. Sutter has visible scars on screen. Aimee doesn't appear to wear any makeup, and favors slapdash ponytails. Yet her beautiful appearance, nature and personality are undeniable. Their clothes don’t fit perfectly, nor are they peppered with the kind of interesting details that typically set movie clothes apart from real-life wear. It’s striking what a difference allowing young people to look like real young people makes onscreen. Everything felt more real and therefore more urgent. The emotional stakes are raised by mindfully stripping away artifice and gloss.
Aimee is the dreamer. Sutter is the realist. Both of the characters have personal issues going on with their families and together they manage to help each other out through the difficulties. There are so many iconic moments within the film that will leave you pondering the complexities of life.
Towards the end of the story, there’s a powerful moment where Sutter speaks honestly with his supervisor about some of his personal demons. When supervisor Dan notes if he were Sutter’s father, he would be giving the young man a lecture about his careless lifestyle, Sutter replies, in the film’s most poignant moment, “Dan if you were my Dad, you wouldn't have to.” It’s powerful and true moments like this that make The Spectacular Now worth seeing.
The friction that makes The Spectacular Now so arresting, is that it shows the story of two people who truly love each other, yet they're on such different and unique paths. Aimee desires change, Sutter abhors it. There is no easy answer, but this deeply moving paean to love's rewards and demands makes you want more of the struggle. The Spectacular Now deserves to be the first step towards something that endures.
It's going to be hard to summarize this movie and give it the justification that it deserves. But it's in Sutter's relationship with Aimee that he makes the most profound discoveries about himself. Aimee is her own kind of lost and confused, and their connection is bittersweet. Until it turns quite disturbing. But never in a way that isn't, as with the entirety of the film, wholly justified by the conflicting realities of how real people behave: not always in their best interests, not always with full self-awareness, yet not always in ruinous even if they might seem that way at first. Teller and Woodley are absolutely remarkable as performers individually, but when they're together, they create a connection for their characters that goes well beyond what we expect from the genre. Sutter and Aimee are real people, just unfinished ones. A remarkably enduring film that signifies the powerful nature of living in the moment, dreaming and love. The Spectacular Now will move you in ways that you couldn't imagine. It's real.
Rated 5/5 Stars •
Rated 5 out of 5 stars
06/26/25
Full Review
David L
"The Spectacular Now" is a very realistic portrait of two high school students falling in love, and dealing with heavy issues that many of us have had to survive while learning to love themselves. I can't stress enough how incredibly genuine the performances are in this film. Miles Teller and Shailene Woodley are so believable as these flawed, yet beautiful teenagers that you get a feeling of unease, as if you are clandestinely eavesdropping on them during their most sweet private moments. Their first time being intimate together is one of the most stunningly realistic scenes I've ever seen in any movie. How they were able to tap into that so effectively, I can't comprehend, but it is so extremely powerful that it makes you realize how incredibly fake most films and shows portraying high school students really are. There have been very, very few movies that realistically portray teens without judging them for their mistakes. The lead character Sutter is severely flawed and I find that most of the people who criticize this movie harshly want for him to dynamically change his character throughout and think it's condoning his actions when it's not and it's only showing an honest portrayal of teenage problems. I feel really bad for the audiences who aren't smart enough to understand how powerful this film is. With all respect to those who don't enjoy this film, I must say it is one of the most sincere and effective movies I have ever seen.
Rated 5/5 Stars •
Rated 5 out of 5 stars
06/11/25
Full Review
Les N
Positive. Well worth a watch!
Rated 4.5/5 Stars •
Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars
06/01/25
Full Review
Mason M
This is an interesting and fresh take on the teen film, but it's main downfall is it's ultimate lack of heart that makes the depressing and naturalistic aspects of this film come off dry and lifeless instead of emotional. Though it has plenty of interesting ideas, good dialogue, and Miles Teller gives a wonderful performance, I like this film more in concept than execution.
Rated 3/5 Stars •
Rated 3 out of 5 stars
03/04/25
Full Review
justin b
Miles Teller is a great actor. He carries this film and he has a lot of charisma. I liked how it handled its characters and felt the ending was honest with what was happening, even if it was not a happy ending. A well done movie that was fine watching once. Not sure if it is a film I would watch again.
Rated 2.5/5 Stars •
Rated 2.5 out of 5 stars
01/19/25
Full Review
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