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Liberal Arts

  • 20122012
  • PG-13PG-13
  • 1h 37m
IMDb RATING
6.7/10
38K
YOUR RATING
  • Cast & crew
  • User reviews
  • Trivia
  • IMDbPro
Elizabeth Olsen and Josh Radnor in Liberal Arts (2012)
When thirty-something Jesse returns home for his father's retirement party, he falls for Zibby, a college student, and is faced with the powerful attraction that springs up between them.
Play trailer2:27
1 Video
19 Photos
  • Comedy
  • Drama
  • Romance

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 t... Read allWhen 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.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.

IMDb RATING
6.7/10
38K
YOUR RATING
  • Director
    • Josh Radnor
  • Writer
    • Josh Radnor
  • Stars
    • Josh Radnor
    • Elizabeth Olsen
    • Zac Efron
Top credits
  • Director
    • Josh Radnor
  • Writer
    • Josh Radnor
  • Stars
    • Josh Radnor
    • Elizabeth Olsen
    • Zac Efron
  • See production, box office & company info
    • 104User reviews
    • 154Critic reviews
    • 55Metascore
  • See more at IMDbPro
    • Awards
      • 7 nominations

    Videos1

    U.S. Version
    Trailer 2:27
    U.S. Version

    Photos19

    Elizabeth Olsen and Josh Radnor in Liberal Arts (2012)
    Elizabeth Olsen and Josh Radnor in Liberal Arts (2012)
    Elizabeth Olsen in Liberal Arts (2012)
    Josh Radnor in Liberal Arts (2012)
    Elizabeth Olsen and Josh Radnor in Liberal Arts (2012)
    Elizabeth Olsen and Josh Radnor in Liberal Arts (2012)
    Josh Radnor in Liberal Arts (2012)
    LIBERAL ARTS
    Liberal Arts (2012)
    Richard Jenkins at an event for Liberal Arts (2012)
    Elizabeth Olsen at an event for Liberal Arts (2012)
    Josh Radnor at an event for Liberal Arts (2012)

    Top cast

    Edit
    Josh Radnor
    Josh Radnor
    • Jesse Fisheras Jesse Fisher
    Elizabeth Olsen
    Elizabeth Olsen
    • Zibbyas Zibby
    Zac Efron
    Zac Efron
    • Natas Nat
    Elizabeth Reaser
    Elizabeth Reaser
    • Anaas Ana
    Richard Jenkins
    Richard Jenkins
    • Professor Peter Hobergas Professor Peter Hoberg
    Allison Janney
    Allison Janney
    • Professor Judith Fairfieldas Professor Judith Fairfield
    John Magaro
    John Magaro
    • Deanas Dean
    Kate Burton
    Kate Burton
    • Susanas Susan
    Robert Desiderio
    Robert Desiderio
    • Davidas David
    Kristen Bush
    Kristen Bush
    • Leslieas Leslie
    Ali Ahn
    Ali Ahn
    • Vanessaas Vanessa
    Ned Daunis
    • Ericas Eric
    Gregg Edelman
    Gregg Edelman
    • Robertas Robert
    Chelsea Chrostowski
    • Smiling Passerby Womanas Smiling Passerby Woman
    • (uncredited)
    Ned Daunis
    • Art Departmentas Art Department
    • (uncredited)
    Richard Doone
    • Man in Bookstore Lineas Man in Bookstore Line
    • (uncredited)
    Caroline Lindy
    Caroline Lindy
    • Hostessas Hostess
    • (uncredited)
    Travis Alan McAfee
    • Laundromat Thiefas Laundromat Thief
    • (uncredited)
    • Director
      • Josh Radnor
    • Writer
      • Josh Radnor
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro
    • All cast & crew

    Elizabeth Olsen Through the Years

    Elizabeth Olsen Through the Years

    Take a look back at Elizabeth Olsen's movie and TV career in photos.
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    Storyline

    Edit
    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 student Zibby, who is seemingly wise beyond her years and with who Jesse embarks on a relationship despite their sixteen-year-age difference. —Huggo
    • retirement
    • admissions officer
    • ohio
    • new york city
    • college student
    • 83 more
    • Plot summary
    • Add synopsis
    • Taglines
      • Sometimes students make the best teachers.
    • Genres
      • Comedy
      • Drama
      • Romance
    • Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)
      • Rated PG-13 for sexual content including references, mature thematic material, and some teen drinking
    • Parents guide

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      Filmed mostly at Josh Radnor's alma mater Kenyon College, a small liberal arts school located in Gambier, Ohio. Allison Janney was a student there.
    • Goofs
      One of the early listings in the final credits is missing an "s" - "First Assitant Camera."
    • Quotes

      Prof. Peter Hoberg: Any place you don't leave is a prison.

    • Connections
      Referenced in The Tonight Show with Jay Leno: Episode #19.203 (2011)
    • Soundtracks
      Poison Tree
      Written by Moby

      Performed by Moby

      Courtesy of Mute

      By Arrangement with Bank Robber Music

    User reviews104

    Review
    Top review
    7/10
    A film about maturity and growing up and the beauty of words and music.
    A very watchable independent rom-com that delves deeper than the usual Hollywood studio version. A film about maturity and growing up and the beauty of words and music.

    I particularly liked the intelligence and wit of the script, the use of Classical music and what it can do to you and the highlighting of the difference in location from bustling grey New York to the beautiful quiet greenery of Ohio.

    I did find that the main character, written, directed and portrayed by Josh Radnor was too perfect. He was intelligent, sensitive, funny, moralistic and empathetic all rolled up in this cute little package. However, if he had not written it for himself it may not have annoyed me as much. I also found Olsen as the wise beyond her years 19 year old to be rather annoying at certain points, but take out those slightly annoying characteristics, some predictable elements and a pretty awful sub-plot involving Zac Efron and the screenplays words and meaning are too enjoyable to let those things spoil it for you.

    Oh and Allison Janney and Richard Jenkins steal every scene they are in.

    "nobody thinks they're adult, it's the worlds darkest secret" or words to that affect...
    helpful•18
    6
    • ffuuut
    • Dec 19, 2012

    FAQ1

    • What is the book Dean is always reading (and Jesse's favourite too)?

    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • October 5, 2012 (United Kingdom)
    • Country of origin
      • United States
    • Language
      • English
    • Also known as
      • Nghệ Thuật Tự Do
    • Filming locations
      • Columbus, Ohio, USA
    • Production companies
      • BCDF Pictures
      • Strategic Motion Ventures
      • Tom Sawyer Entertainment
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Box office

    Edit
    • Budget
      • $2,000,000 (estimated)
    • Gross US & Canada
      • $327,345
    • Opening weekend US & Canada
      • $27,435
      • Sep 16, 2012
    • Gross worldwide
      • $1,150,681
    See detailed box office info on IMDbPro

    Technical specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      1 hour 37 minutes
    • Color
      • Color
    • Sound mix
      • Dolby Digital
    • Aspect ratio
      • 2.35 : 1

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    Mar 10Rollingstone.com

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