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IMDbPro

The Art of Getting By

  • 20112011
  • PG-13PG-13
  • 1h 23m
IMDb RATING
6.5/10
59K
YOUR RATING
Freddie Highmore and Emma Roberts in The Art of Getting By (2011)
George (Highmore), a lonely and fatalistic teen who's made it all the way to his senior year without ever having done his schoolwork, is befriended by Sally (Roberts), a popular but complicated girl who recognizes in him a kindred spirit.
Play trailer2:22
2 Videos
99+ Photos
  • Drama
  • Romance
George, a lonely and fatalistic teen who has made it all the way to his senior year without ever having done a real day of work, is befriended by Sally, a popular but complicated girl who re... Read allGeorge, a lonely and fatalistic teen who has made it all the way to his senior year without ever having done a real day of work, is befriended by Sally, a popular but complicated girl who recognizes in him a kindred spirit.George, a lonely and fatalistic teen who has made it all the way to his senior year without ever having done a real day of work, is befriended by Sally, a popular but complicated girl who recognizes in him a kindred spirit.
IMDb RATING
6.5/10
59K
YOUR RATING
  • Director
    • Gavin Wiesen
  • Writer
    • Gavin Wiesen
  • Stars
    • Freddie Highmore
    • Emma Roberts
    • Michael Angarano
Top credits
  • Director
    • Gavin Wiesen
  • Writer
    • Gavin Wiesen
  • Stars
    • Freddie Highmore
    • Emma Roberts
    • Michael Angarano
  • See production, box office & company info
    • 99User reviews
    • 120Critic reviews
    • 36Metascore
  • See more at IMDbPro
    • Awards
      • 1 win & 2 nominations

    Videos2

    The Art of Getting By
    Trailer 2:22
    The Art of Getting By
    Emma Roberts: The IMDb Original Interview
    Interview 3:12
    Emma Roberts: The IMDb Original Interview

    Photos156

    Emma Roberts in The Art of Getting By (2011)
    Blair Underwood in The Art of Getting By (2011)
    Freddie Highmore in The Art of Getting By (2011)
    Michael Angarano and Emma Roberts in The Art of Getting By (2011)
    Freddie Highmore and Gavin Wiesen in The Art of Getting By (2011)
    Rita Wilson in The Art of Getting By (2011)
    Freddie Highmore and Emma Roberts in The Art of Getting By (2011)
    Freddie Highmore in The Art of Getting By (2011)
    Emma Roberts in The Art of Getting By (2011)
    Gavin Wiesen in The Art of Getting By (2011)
    Freddie Highmore and Emma Roberts in The Art of Getting By (2011)
    Emma Roberts at an event for The Art of Getting By (2011)

    Top cast

    Edit
    Freddie Highmore
    Freddie Highmore
    • George Zinavoyas George Zinavoy
    Emma Roberts
    Emma Roberts
    • Sally Howeas Sally Howe
    Michael Angarano
    Michael Angarano
    • Dustinas Dustin
    Sasha Spielberg
    Sasha Spielberg
    • Zoe Rubensteinas Zoe Rubenstein
    Marcus Carl Franklin
    Marcus Carl Franklin
    • Will Sharpeas Will Sharpe
    Ann Dowd
    Ann Dowd
    • Mrs. Grimesas Mrs. Grimes
    Maya Ri Sanchez
    Maya Ri Sanchez
    • Cynthiaas Cynthia
    Blair Underwood
    Blair Underwood
    • Principal Martinsonas Principal Martinson
    Ann Harada
    Ann Harada
    • Mrs. Doughertyas Mrs. Dougherty
    Rita Wilson
    Rita Wilson
    • Vivian Sargentas Vivian Sargent
    Jarlath Conroy
    • Harris McElroyas Harris McElroy
    Elizabeth Reaser
    Elizabeth Reaser
    • Charlotte Howeas Charlotte Howe
    Andrew Levitas
    Andrew Levitas
    • Javieras Javier
    Sam Robards
    Sam Robards
    • Jack Sargentas Jack Sargent
    Alicia Silverstone
    Alicia Silverstone
    • Ms. Hermanas Ms. Herman
    Dan Leonard
    Dan Leonard
    • Nickas Nick
    Sophie Lane Curtis
    Sophie Lane Curtis
    • Chastityas Chastity
    • (as Sophie Curtis)
    Joseph Ernest
    • Studentas Student
    • (uncredited)
    • Director
      • Gavin Wiesen
    • Writer
      • Gavin Wiesen
    • All cast & crew
    • See more cast details at IMDbPro

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    Storyline

    Edit

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      In the first scene, the camera passes by Tom's Restaurant, the same restaurant featured in Seinfeld (1989), aka Monk's.
    • Quotes

      George Zinavoy: I read a quote once when I was a kid "We live alone, We die alone. Everything else is just an illusion." it used to keep me up at night.

    • Alternate versions
      In the UK, the film was originally seen for advice by the BBFC in a rough cut form. The BBFC advised the filmmakers that the film was likely to receive a 15 rating, but that a 12A rating could be awarded if the strong language was reduced. When the finished version of the film was submitted for a formal rating in the UK, the number of uses of strong language had been reduced from five to one and the film was passed 12A. These cuts appear to have made their way into all releases of the film.
    • Connections
      Featured in Ebert Presents: At the Movies: Episode #1.22 (2011)
    • Soundtracks
      We Will Become Silhouettes
      Written by Benjamin Gibbard, James Tamborello aka The Postal Service

      Performed by The Shins

      Courtesy of Sub Pop Records

    User reviews99

    Review
    Top review
    4/10
    A cloned hipster
    A misanthropic, depressed protagonist? Check. A pretty, non-conformist love interest with baggage? Check. An older, cooler rival? Check. A soundtrack filled with indie-rock semi-hits? Jittery camera work? Jump cuts? Check, check, check. Eventually conforming completely to social norms while making it seem like a divine epiphany? Check. The Art of Getting By indulges in every possible cliché of the hipster's, outsider teenager's romantic dramedy, and then some. There's absolutely nothing about it that's in any way original, genuine and heartfelt; it's designed especially to appeal to lonely, unpopular teens who may find some solace in this unrealistic, dishonest and hollow fantasy.

    The film is executed just well enough to be watchable, even entertaining at times; some scenes are well written and witty by themselves, and the short runtime definitely helps, but it's not enough. Even at 80 minutes it manages to use every familiar, well-trodden plot point it could come up with; the horrible, awkward performances of Freddie "Charlie Bucket" Highmore and Emma Roberts means that the film doesn't even have the benefit of likable characters, which is often the saving grace of movies like "(500) Days of Summer". Highmore and Roberts aren't really bad actors, but they're horribly miscast and their characters are unlikable and irritating. Unless you're a sixteen year old boy with no social life and no hope, stay far away from The Art of Getting By.
    helpful•8
    3
    • itamarscomix
    • Sep 1, 2012

    FAQ1

    • What songs are featured in the film?

    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • June 17, 2011 (United States)
    • Country of origin
      • United States
    • Language
      • English
    • Also known as
      • Homework
    • Filming locations
      • New York, USA
    • Production companies
      • Goldcrest Pictures
      • Mint Pictures
      • Island Bound Productions
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Box office

    Edit
    • Gross US & Canada
      • $1,430,241
    • Opening weekend US & Canada
      • $679,160
      • Jun 19, 2011
    • Gross worldwide
      • $1,892,130
    See detailed box office info on IMDbPro

    Technical specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      1 hour 23 minutes
    • Color
      • Color
    • Sound mix
      • Dolby
    • Aspect ratio
      • 2.35 : 1

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