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:

age difference | retirement | admissions officer | professor | ohio | 

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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

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

5 October 2012 (UK)

Also Known As:

Amor e Letras

Filming Locations:

Gambier, Ohio, USA

Box Office

Budget:

$2,000,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend USA:

$27,435, 16 September 2012, Limited Release

Gross USA:

$317,190, 18 November 2012

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

Did You Know?

Trivia

The Soundtrack uses classical music through a discussion after a class Zibby takes. The music used includes:

• Beethoven's Sixth symphony, 1st movement - Herbert von Karajan with Berliner Philharmoniker
• Wagner - Overture to Tannhauser
• Mozart - Cosi fan Tutte aria
• Vivaldi - Guistino - Vedro con mio diletto (sung by Philippe Jaroussky)
• Monteverdi - 9th Book of Madrigals "Zefiro Torna" (sung by Philippe Jarrousky and Nuria Rial)

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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

All the Girls Be Mad At Me
Written by Matcellus N. Hayes
Performed by Lippay
Courtesy of Pacifica Music, LLC

User Reviews

That's how he should have met your Mother.

First of all, I have to say, Josh plays himself. At least it is the same Josh that is in "How I met your Mother" and his other great effort Happythankyoumoreplease. Normally that would be a criticism,but he is so likable and so watchable you don't care. Sort of like James Stewart. Also, I guessed that he wrote it himself as the dialogue and the emotions (or lack of) were very realistic. The only thing that wasn't believable about Elizabeth was her age as they probably should have made her character a little older. Otherwise, she was outstanding and her personality was seductive giving credibility to his infatuation with her. Richard Jenkins was great as usual and Zac offered some oddball humor. I loved the movie and all the characters which is a nice change with some of the depressing movies out there.

Oh, and watch the deleted scenes. I'm not going to argue for their inclusion but they are enjoyable.