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, Zac Efron

7 nominations.

Cast

Complete credited cast:
Josh Radnor	...	Jesse Fisher
Elizabeth Olsen	...	Zibby
Richard Jenkins	...	Professor Peter Hoberg
Allison Janney	...	Professor 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:

retirement | admissions officer | professor | ohio | new york city | 

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Taglines:

Sometimes students make the best teachers.

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Genres:

Comedy | Drama | Romance

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

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

Did You Know?

Trivia

Although not mentioned by name, the fictional vampire book that sparks an argument between the two main characters is titled "Lunar Moon" and is not only based on "Twilight" but ts jacket cover is very similar to that of "Twilight" as well. Elizabeth Reaser, who plays Ana in this film, also plays Esme Cullen in the "Twilight" movies.

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Goofs

At the very beginning of the film, during the series of quick cuts denoting the passage of time, none of the items on any of the furniture change positions.

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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

Médiation
from "Thaïs: Acte deux"
Music by Jules Massenet
Performed by Michel Schwalbe with Berliner Philharmoniker
Conducted by Herbert von Karajan
Courtesy of Deutsche Grammophon GmbH, Hamburg
Under license from Universal Music Enterprises

User Reviews

Entertaining, humorous, and charming.

These days it is very rare to find a well rounded film with a good moral. While Josh Radnor is know for his raunchy sitcom "How I Met Your Mother," he has many hidden talents that the show does not utilize. As a writer, director, and actor he is superb, and he brings a refreshing change of pace to not only the drama industry, but the film industry in general. From the opening sequence to the credits the film is thoroughly entertaining, and intelligent. Elizabeth Olsen was enthusiastic and energetic, just as Zibby should have been portrayed. Zac Efron was surprisingly humorous, and his slightly off-key character adds a certain lightness to such a dramatic film. Every cast member was perfectly cast, the script is humor, entertaining, and charming. The most astonishing aspect of the film was the use of a classical soundtrack, a general push toward fine arts, great classic literature references, and the idea presented that love and music join us all together. No matter what your particular tastes in film in I urge you to take the time and watch 'Liberal Arts,' you will not be sorry.

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

5 October 2012 (UK)

Also Known As:

Liberal Arts

Filming Locations:

Gambier, Ohio, USA

Box Office

Budget:

$2,000,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend USA:

$27,435, 16 September 2012

Gross USA:

$327,345

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$1,150,681

Company Credits

Production Co:

BCDF Pictures, Strategic Motion Ventures, Tom Sawyer Entertainment

Technical Specs

Runtime:

97 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1