Ember's analysis
- Pacing
- Measured
- Intensity
- Mild
- Complexity
- Easy to follow
- Violence
- None
- wistful
- intimate
- awkward
- lazy afternoon
- teen movie night
What critics said
Critics broadly found the film a conventional, poorly written coming-of-age romance, while praising the performances of Freddie Highmore and Emma Roberts.
What sets it apart
May contain story progression spoilers
George rejects school, homework, and conventional purpose while treating life as an illusion before his connection with Sally begins to change his outlook.
George sketches and paints, and the school connects him with successful artist Dustin as a possible guide through adolescence.
George is drawn to Sally and gains a reason to attend school, yet remains unable to admit his feelings to himself or to her.
George's stalled education, friendships, mentors, and potential failure to graduate all unfold through his New York City school life.
Films like The Art of Getting By, and why
The Perks of Being a Wallflower
Both are wistful teen coming-of-age romances centered on an introspective outsider and emotionally complicated school relationships.
Me and Earl and the Dying Girl
Both combine adolescent romance, friendship, self-discovery, and a gently melancholic perspective on growing up.
The Spectacular Now
Both are contemporary high-school romantic dramas about awkward young people navigating identity, intimacy, and social belonging.
Movie Details
- Director
- Gavin Wiesen
- Release Date
- 2011-06-17
- Runtime
- 83 min
- Rating
- 6.6 / 10 (1381)
Cast
- Freddie Highmore
- Emma Roberts
- Michael Angarano
- Elizabeth Reaser
- Alicia Silverstone
- Sasha Spielberg
- Marcus Carl Franklin
- Ann Dowd
- Blair Underwood
- Rita Wilson
Where to watch in United States
- Streaming
- Cinemax Amazon Channel, Cinemax Apple TV channel
- Rent
- Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home
- Buy
- Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home
Streaming options come from TMDB and change over time.
Common questions
- What is The Art of Getting By about?
- An existentially adrift New York teenager finds an unexpected reason to engage with school, art, and other people after meeting a magnetic classmate.
- What is The Art of Getting By like to watch?
- Ember's analysis rates the pacing of The Art of Getting By as measured, its intensity as mild and its storytelling as easy to follow.
- Is The Art of Getting By violent?
- No — Ember's analysis finds no violence in The Art of Getting By.
- What did critics think of The Art of Getting By?
- Critics broadly found the film a conventional, poorly written coming-of-age romance, while praising the performances of Freddie Highmore and Emma Roberts.
- Which films are like The Art of Getting By?
- Films with a similar feel include The Perks of Being a Wallflower, Me and Earl and the Dying Girl, and The Spectacular Now.
- How long is The Art of Getting By?
- The Art of Getting By runs 83 minutes.
- Where can I watch The Art of Getting By?
- In United States, The Art of Getting By streams on Cinemax Amazon Channel, Cinemax Apple TV channel.
