The Spectacular Now, based on the novel by Tim Tharp - 7.7 out of 10

The Spectacular Now, based on the novel by Tim Tharp
7.7 out of 10


The title of the film is absolutely formidable.

Positive psychology research has demonstrated the importance of the Spectacular Now.
Although it is the only one we actually have, people are often too concerned about the future, upset by the past toe joy the moment.

A psychology classic, Flow, details the manner in which we arrive 'in the zone', reach a climax, listing the conditions, one of which is to engage in the activity of the moment, concentrating and choosing one where challenges are met by proper skills.

Miles Teller is a rising star - maybe for that reason, he seems to have acquired in some circles a reputation for being difficult and hard to work with, perhaps not unlike the character he plays in this feature, Sutter.
The protagonist has had a relationship with Cassidy aka Brie Larson - an established talent, winner of the Academy Award after shooting this motion picture, for the Room.

Cassidy has moved on, but Sutter still seems to be fixed on their past together.
Annoyingly, even when he has a bond with someone else.

The hero meets Aimee aka the formidable Shailene Woodley.
This is an awkward personage.

On one hand, she is pleasant, gentle, loyal, resilient, kind and understanding.
Too understanding.

For on the other hand, it feels for long chapters that the ruthless young man takes advantage and ultimately eve puts her life at risk.

Yes, he has had issues.
The young man has been traumatized by the absence of his father.

His missing has been misinterpreted as being the fault of his mother.
In consequence,  one parent is missing and the communication- if it is not miscommunication we are talking about - with the other is tense and based on false assumptions.

At one point, Sutter drives with Aimee to see his father.
They meet in a bar, where the estranged parent is seeing a woman,apparently upset by the presence of this unknown son.

After the father orders drinks after drinks, he says he has to go.
He wants his teenage son, who is still in highschool, to pay for it.

Sutter does not have enough and his girlfriend cannot help much either.
In fact, the girl herself has had an unhappy connection with the mother.

The adults sends her daughter to deliver the newspapers she is supposed to distribute in th or town.
They have problems with money at home and without Aimee doing her parent's work,  they would be in serious trouble.

When Sutter says they would like to come along, his father says that they will meet at his place, in one hour.
The boy and his girlfriend wait in vain.

For this obviously lamentable parent is at the bar, when they look for him, after waiting for too long.
The boy would tell his mother that she was right all along, after this unfortunate encounter.

Alas, for quite some time, he seems to follow in the footsteps of his flawed father.
In his relationship with Aimee,he is disingenuous, careless and hurtful.

The girl loves him,but he could not care less.
Again, we need to consider his emotional background.

The main character has suffered a lot.
His emotional intelligence has taken severe blows.

Only it is rather aggravating to see him abuse the innocent partner psychologically.
Overall, Sutter looks more like the villain than the hero of a motion picture.

That why watching the film is not so rewarding.
Especially after he throws Aimee out of the car and something terrible any happen.