Watch The Spectacular Now

The Spectacular Now is a coming-of-age indie drama film directed by James Ponsoldt, released in 2013. The movie follows the life of Sutter Keely, a charming and confident high school senior who has a reputation for being the life of the party. Sutter is not worried about his future, as he is focused on living in the present and enjoying every moment of his teenage years.

The movie opens with Sutter waking up on a stranger's lawn one morning, having no recollection of how he got there. After finding his car, he drives to his job at a local fast-food restaurant, where he meets Aimee Finecky, a sweet and reserved girl who is putting up flyers for her mother's paper route. They strike up a conversation, and Sutter offers to help Aimee with her route.

Aimee is the opposite of Sutter - she's a studious, hard-working student with a passion for science fiction and dreams of attending college in Philadelphia. Sutter, on the other hand, is content with his low-pressure job and living in the moment. Despite their differences, Aimee and Sutter start spending more time together and eventually develop a romantic relationship.

As their relationship deepens, Sutter's flaws become more apparent. He has a drinking problem, a reckless attitude towards driving, and lacks direction in his life. His ex-girlfriend Cassidy, who is now dating Sutter's former best friend, has a frank conversation with him about his future, and he realizes that he has been avoiding his anxieties about growing up by living in the present.

Sutter's relationship with his mother is also strained, and he has unresolved anger towards his absent father. His mother Sharon is worried about Sutter and tries to talk to him about his future, but Sutter brushes off her concerns. Sutter's father is a shadowy figure in his life, and he discovers the truth about his father's absence when he visits him after an argument with his mother.

The Spectacular Now is a character-driven film that explores the complex themes of love, addiction, self-discovery, and the bittersweet nature of growing up. Miles Teller delivers a standout performance as Sutter Keely, portraying him as a flawed and complex character with charm and vulnerability. Shailene Woodley is equally captivating as Aimee, capturing the character's sweetness and inner strength.

Kyle Chandler delivers a powerful performance as Sutter's father, bringing depth to the character's troubled past and his relationship with Sutter. The supporting cast, including Brie Larson as Cassidy and Mary Elizabeth Winstead as Sutter's sister Holly, also deliver strong performances.

The movie's direction and writing are well-crafted, capturing the essence of adolescence and the complexities of growing up in a nuanced and sincere way. The Spectacular Now is both heartwarming and heartbreaking, leaving a lasting impact on audiences who resonate with its themes.

Overall, The Spectacular Now is a must-watch film for anyone who enjoys character-driven dramas with a poignant message. It's an authentic and relatable story that explores the highs and lows of young love and the uncertainty of the future.

The Spectacular Now is a 2013 comedy with a runtime of 1 hour and 40 minutes. It has received mostly positive reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 7.0 and a MetaScore of 82.