Liberal Arts (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

Writer:

Josh Radnor

Stars:

Josh Radnor, Elizabeth Olsen, Elizabeth Reaser

Cast

Cast overview:
Josh Radnor	...	Jesse Fisher
Elizabeth Olsen	...	Zibby
Richard Jenkins	...	Professor Peter Hoberg
Allison Janney	...	Prof. Judith Fairfield
Elizabeth Reaser	...	Ana
John Magaro	...	Dean
Kate Burton	...	Susan
Robert Desiderio	...	David
Zac Efron	...	Nat
Kristen Bush	...	Leslie
Ali Ahn	...	Vanessa
Ned Daunis	...	Eric
Gregg Edelman	...	Robert

Storyline

Thirty-five year old Jesse Fisher, an admissions officer at a New York City post-secondary institution he who loves English and literature, has somewhat lost his passion in life, which includes recently being unceremoniously dumped by his latest girlfriend, who could no longer be the person to prop him up emotionally. He has a chance to find that passion again when he is invited to the retirement dinner of his second favorite Ohio University college professor, Peter Hoberg, as his time there was when his life held the most passion. Jesse's encounters with five people there may determine if he does find that passion again. They are: Hoberg, who is resisting the notion of retirement; Judith Fairfield, Jesse's favorite professor, although for a different reason than his like of Hoberg; Nat, a free spirit who navigates life at the institution on his own terms; undergraduate student Dean, who Jesse sees as a younger more destructive version of himself; and nineteen year old undergraduate ...

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Plot Keywords:

written and directed by cast member | bare chested male

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Taglines:

Sometimes students make the best teachers.

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Genres:

Comedy | Drama

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated PG-13 for sexual content including references, mature thematic material, and some teen drinking

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

5 October 2012 (Ireland)

Also Known As:

Amor y letras

Filming Locations:

Gambier, Ohio, USA

Box Office

Opening Weekend:

$27,435 (USA) (14 September 2012)

Gross:

$317,190 (USA) (16 November 2012)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Strategic Motion Ventures, BCDF Pictures, Tom Sawyer Entertainment

Technical Specs

Runtime:

97 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

There was a storyline with Michael Weston as Miles, a friend of Jesse who is trying to go to Spain but has several issues that keep him from going. All of his scenes were filmed but not in the movie; they are featured in the Bonus section as Deleted Scenes.

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Goofs

One of the early listings in the final credits is missing an "s" - "First Assitant Camera"

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Quotes

[first lines]
Jesse Fisher: You know, high school to college, it can be a big transition, especially if you're not from the city, so - so we try yo help out with that transition, in a number of ways.

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Connections

Referenced in The Tonight Show with Jay Leno: Episode #19.203 (2011)

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Soundtracks

"I Want a Kenyon Man'
Words and Music by Maxwell Budd Long
Vocal Arrangement by Benjamin Locke
Performed by Calle Voce, featuring Carling Fitzsimmons, Caroline Eichler, Ananda Plunkett, Joanna Tomassoni, Robyn Rae Stype, Ellen Kaufman, Julia Dopp, Ally Schmaling
Produced by Marc Lacuesta

User Reviews

Liberal Arts - A+

I am going to start out by saying that I loved this film. I think that Josh Radnor did an excellent job writing, directing and starring in this film. The film conveyed that no matter how old you get, you still have more growing to do. The film also demonstrated the hustle and bustle of city life and the calm, serene climate of the country. It also took me back to my years in college and how intense that part of your life really is and the influence that it has on you. There is always one or two instructors that makes an impression on you in college and for Jesse (Josh Radnor) it was Professor Judith Fairfield (Allison Janney) and Professor Peter Hoberg (Richard Jenkins). Judith was feisty and deliberate and had a no-holds-barred kind of attitude, while Peter was struggling with his decision-making skills. (By the way, my favorite professor was Dr. Spradley who taught me all about technical writing). The relationship that develops between Zibby (Elizabeth Olsen) and Jesse is educational in the fact that they both have something to learn from the other. I think that the lessons that they learned maybe even educated the audience a little (I know that is how I felt). The relationship between Jesse and Dean (John Magaro) was a heart-tugging event. Dean kind of reminded me of Will in Good Will Hunting. There are people in this world that are naturally talented in certain things and that is the one thing that they want to do the least. The only character that seemed to have everything pretty much figured out was Nat (Zac Efron). Out of all the characters in this film, I liked him the most. He was quirky, funny and surprisingly insightful. I remember thinking that as strange as he was; I could see myself hanging out with him. Every time he would appear on screen you just knew that he was going to put a smile on your face. I still have a couple of films to see during this film festival, but I have to say that so far this one is my favorite. I hope that when this film comes out to the general public that it does really well. Josh should be very proud of himself for putting together such an engaging piece of work. Pure entertainment! I am giving this film and A+ and a glaring green light.