Liberal Arts - A Movie Review

Everything in life is basically improvised.

Liberal Arts graduated college into theaters in 2012. Jessie Fisher, a 35-year-old college admissions director is invited to his favorite professor’s retirement party where he meets Zibby, a 19-year-old college student. Both undergoing a crisis, the pair blooms a genuine connection as they embark on a relationship.

Education films like Liberal Arts are so important, especially for college students, current and post. Liberal Arts is a lighthearted comedy that has an important moral about conducting relationships and your college career.

Josh Radner and Elizabeth Olsen were excellent in their characters and interactions with one another, bringing relatable vulnerabilities. Jessie and Zibby are two different people, but it’s the chemistry between the leads that makes their relationship believable.

Struggling with his adult life, Jessie has a big wake-up call. Finding it challenging meeting someone her own age, Zibby has a mature demeanor but also acts like a ditz. Olson deserves acclaim for her role because there is so much more to this character.

The debate about Twilight is my favorite scene of the film. One of the best scenes in the film is a well-acted argument between Jessie and Zibby about a sensitive topic. The narrative is crafted with sensitivity, avoiding the clichéd pitfalls that stories easily fall prey to, and instead, Liberal Arts focuses on the emotional honesty of the characters.

There are a lot of memorable roles in Liberal Arts. Zac Efron makes the greatest and most bizarre appearance. Allison Janney’s role reminded me of a similar character she played in The Rewrite, except she is nastier here!

One of the movie’s essential messages is the importance of human connections. You never know who you’ll meet. Jessie’s interactions with Dean (John Magaro) influence anybody to be truthful about their mental health. College is not for everybody and that’s okay.

A lot more happens in Liberal Arts than you think. Josh Radnor also had the privilege to direct Liberal Arts. In this lighthearted film, Radner explores the life of a college student. What is the exact definition of college? It’s a time to decide what you want to do with your life, but it’s also a time to reflect on yourself.

The dialogue is authentic. Conversations are important among the characters. When I was in college I had several conversations about literature. Just like a story, we need to read between the lines of the dialogue.

Relationships are a different venture in life, but the film handles the topic well. Choose relationships carefully. Jesse's relationship with Zibby challenges societal norms about age-difference relationships, showcasing that genuine connections can be found in unexpected places.

I felt very overwhelmed when I graduated college so I related to this film and its characters on several levels. I’m sure a lot of us wish to be back in college and enjoy it all over again. And yet at the same time, college is one of the most stressful times in anybody’s life - making deadlines, making connections, and extracurricular activities.

Life is not based on a script. It’s all about improvising. That’s the most true description I have heard in a movie. This film serves as a reminder to embrace the moments of emotional growth that college provides while acknowledging that life continues after college.

We all need a mentor. Liberal Arts should be watched by all college students and anyone who is going through a hard time. We’re all working on the rough drafts of our lives. I am so glad that I found this movie. Find it on Tubi.