The Spectacular Now
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Sutter, a popular party animal, unexpectedly meets the introverted Aimee after waking up on a stranger's lawn. As Sutter deals with the problems in his life and Aimee plans for her future beyond school, an unexpected romance blossoms between them.
What critics thought
James Ponsoldt's coming-of-age film earned broad critical enthusiasm on the strength of its refusal to glamorize or ironize teenage life — critics kept returning to how genuinely the two leads felt like real people rather than movie constructs. The reception was notably unified rather than split, with praise centering on Miles Teller and Shailene Woodley's chemistry and the film's willingness to treat first love as both beautiful and frightening.
“The scars and blemishes on the faces of the high-school lovers in The Spectacular Now are beautifully emblematic of director James Ponsoldt's bid to bring the American teen movie back to some semblance of reality, a bid that pays off spectacularly indeed.”
Rob Nelson·Variety
“Ordinary in some ways and extraordinary in others, The Spectacular Now benefits from an exceptional feel for its main characters on the parts of the director and lead actors.”
Todd McCarthy·The Hollywood Reporter
“Miles Teller and Shailene Woodley have such a disarmingly direct and spontaneous connection as actors that Sutter and Aimee almost immediately come to seem like a couple you've known (or been part of) at some point in your life. [...] The Spectacular Now captures the beauty and scariness and lacerating intensity of first love”
Dana Stevens·Slate
“like them, it's a movie about the experience of being caught on the cusp and truly not knowing which way you'll land.”
Owen Gleiberman·Entertainment Weekly
Parents guide
- Violence
- mild
- Sex
- moderate
- Profanity
- severe
- Substances
- moderate
- Intensity
- mild
Genres
Drama, Romance
Cast & Crew
James PonsoldtDirector
Miles TellerSutter Keely
Shailene WoodleyAimee Finecky
Masam HoldenRicky Mehlinger
Kaitlyn DeverKrystal Krittenbrink
Brie LarsonCassidy Roy
Kyle ChandlerTommy Keely
Jennifer Jason LeighSara Keely
Mary Elizabeth WinsteadHolly Keely
Karen StrassmanAdditional Voices (voice)
Andre RoyoMr. Aster
Bob OdenkirkDan
Nicci RoesslerTara Thompson
Rob SimonsenComposer
Michael H. WeberWriter
Scott NeustadterWriter
Jess HallCinematographyThe Spectacular Now
Sutter, a popular party animal, unexpectedly meets the introverted Aimee after waking up on a stranger's lawn. As Sutter deals with the problems in his life and Aimee plans for her future beyond school, an unexpected romance blossoms between them.
What critics thought
James Ponsoldt's coming-of-age film earned broad critical enthusiasm on the strength of its refusal to glamorize or ironize teenage life — critics kept returning to how genuinely the two leads felt like real people rather than movie constructs. The reception was notably unified rather than split, with praise centering on Miles Teller and Shailene Woodley's chemistry and the film's willingness to treat first love as both beautiful and frightening.
“The scars and blemishes on the faces of the high-school lovers in The Spectacular Now are beautifully emblematic of director James Ponsoldt's bid to bring the American teen movie back to some semblance of reality, a bid that pays off spectacularly indeed.”
Rob Nelson·Variety
“Ordinary in some ways and extraordinary in others, The Spectacular Now benefits from an exceptional feel for its main characters on the parts of the director and lead actors.”
Todd McCarthy·The Hollywood Reporter
“Miles Teller and Shailene Woodley have such a disarmingly direct and spontaneous connection as actors that Sutter and Aimee almost immediately come to seem like a couple you've known (or been part of) at some point in your life. [...] The Spectacular Now captures the beauty and scariness and lacerating intensity of first love”
Dana Stevens·Slate
“like them, it's a movie about the experience of being caught on the cusp and truly not knowing which way you'll land.”
Owen Gleiberman·Entertainment Weekly
Parents guide
- Violence
- mild
- Sex
- moderate
- Profanity
- severe
- Substances
- moderate
- Intensity
- mild
Genres
Drama, Romance
Cast & Crew
James PonsoldtDirectorMiles TellerSutter KeelyShailene WoodleyAimee FineckyMasam HoldenRicky MehlingerKaitlyn DeverKrystal KrittenbrinkBrie LarsonCassidy RoyKyle ChandlerTommy KeelyJennifer Jason LeighSara KeelyMary Elizabeth WinsteadHolly KeelyKaren StrassmanAdditional Voices (voice)Andre RoyoMr. AsterBob OdenkirkDanNicci RoesslerTara ThompsonRob SimonsenComposerMichael H. WeberWriterScott NeustadterWriterJess HallCinematographyStream
Rent & Buy