You can read enough about it online that I’ll not try to describe what it’s all about here. What I will say is that in so many movies that include action, chase scenes, or special effects, or some situation that could not possibly happen in real life, I’m disappointed by the distance I feel between what is on the screen and what is reality. Sometimes, I have to abandon reality entirely to allow myself to enjoy a movie.
This was not the case with “The Spectacular Now.” It is a story that is way too close to what is (or could be) some young person’s reality. Fair warning, there is so much pain in this movie that even now, as I write, I’m having to do my best not to recall certain details, lest I burst into tears and cry all over my keyboard.
If you go, you’ll fall completely for the main character, right out of the gate! Then, when he meets a new girl, you’ll have that same experience with her. As quickly as all of that gets going, you start to see the flawed situation and how wrong things might go from here.
That’s all I’m willing to share with you about the plot. My advice is, bring tissues and prepare for an emotional ride. You could see this movie with your eyes closed and it would work as well. I’m sure I’ve never said that before about any movie.
Enjoy!