{Image via IMDB}
From the writers of 500 Days of Summer comes The Spectacular Now, a coming-of-age story following lifelong slacker and probable YOLO enthusiast Sutter Keely.
Based on the book of the same name, The Spectacular Now follows the burgeoning alcoholic and high school senior Sutter (Miles Teller) as he befriends shy, studious classmate, Aimee Finnecky (Shailene Woodley). Their friendship eventually turns romantic and almost destructive leading Sutter to question his live-in-the-now philosophy.
If you haven’t read the book, don’t expect similarities between 500 and Spectacular. No cartoon animations or colorful transitions. The Spectacular Now lives in the real world. The film is located in an idyllic small town (shot in Athens, Georgia) and it strips itself of Hollywood perfection even showcasing the actors’ sweat to create a real portrayal.
For fans looking for the book’s visual replica, the screenwriters made their own choices portraying certain characters and plot lines. Though the book and movie have their respective differences, the differences don’t detract. Instead, due to the limited time, the choices support the story’s trajectory, the relationship between Sutter and Aimee, as opposed to personal back stories or subplots. The audience is able focus on the main story without any unanswered questions or unresolved issues at the closing credits.
{Image via Tim Tharp}
Have you read The Spectacular Now? If you’ve seen the movie, what did you think about the creative differences? Let me know in the comments!
By Lyn Woodward
