Liberal Arts

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Release Date: October 5th 2012

When 30-something Jesse returns to his alma mater for a professor's retirement party, he falls for Zibby, a college student, and is faced with a powerful attraction that springs up between them.

Director: Josh Radnor (Happythankyoumoreplease)

Starring: Josh Radnor, Elizabeth Olsen, Richard Jenkins, Zac Efron, Allison Janney, Elizabeth Reaser

Liberal Arts is one of the most inoffensive films out there. I wouldn't go out of the way and say it's a feel-good film though. It's an equal concoction of happiness and sadness. Josh Radnor (How I Met Your Mother) directs, writes and stars in this exuberant film about Jesse (Radnor), who goes back to the university he attended for his favourite teacher's retirement party. He meets Zibby (Olsen), and a connection builds between them.

The age difference between Zibby and Jesse holds him back. 16 years separates them. Is that bad? This usually holds mixed opinions. Olsen's character is mature for her age of 19, but does that deem it acceptable? We see them swapping mix tapes and writing letters to each other, forgetting their age completely.

Liberal Arts is heavy in dialogue. For a movie that's a romcom there's too much chitter-chatter and not enough action. It feels like a lesson in literature. Words don't roll off the tongue easily. Radnor's script might look good on paper but the spoken word (especially Jesse's) is rigid. Zibby is natural and charming. She's in the lead for the most interesting character.

It can be said that Liberal Arts is unique, never following other similar films and their cliches. It's not infested with parties and nonsensical mannerisms, it's full of mature interaction and young adults who want to be more than a stereotype. Zac Efron is a witty layabout, piling Jesse with wise proverbs. Allison Janney is the teacher Jesse looks up to and Richard Jenkins is, well, Richard Jenkins; a retiree who yearns for more.

Overview: With a bit more experience Josh Radnor will excel as a director and writer just as much as an actor, and hopefully throw off the How I Met Your Mother typecast in the process.