As a gamer who’s been around the block a few times, I can confidently say that “The Spectacular Now” is one of those hidden gems in cinema that deserves more recognition than it got when it first released. Having grown up watching countless teen movies, I can attest to its uniqueness – it’s emotional, subtle, and raw, making it a far cry from the average teen flick.
In the present day, Miles Teller is widely recognized as a prominent actor in Hollywood. However, less than a decade ago, he was honing his skills in breakout film roles. Starting this August, fans can re-experience one of the actor’s finest performances in one of his least recognized movies to date. Specifically, “The Spectacular Now” is now available for streaming on Netflix, beginning on Thursday, Aug. 1.
According to the novel “The Spectacular Now” penned by Tim Tharp, the movie adaptation was scripted by Scott Neustadter and Michael H. Weber, with James Ponsoldt as director. The story revolves around Miles Teller’s character, Sutter Keely, a carefree yet troubled high school student who develops feelings for Aimee Finecky, portrayed by Shailene Woodley, his co-star from the film “Divergent.”
The film “The Spectacular Now” debuted at the Sundance Film Festival in January 2013, followed by a theatrical release in August of the same year, handled by independent distributor A24. Despite not being a blockbuster at the box office, the movie with a modest budget of $2.5 million generated over $6 million in revenue. Critically acclaimed, it boasts a 91% rating on Rotten Tomatoes.
Watch the trailer for the coming-of-age movie below!
The Spectacular Now is an underrated teen classic
Prior to his leading role in “The Spectacular Now”, Miles Teller had mainly appeared in just two films. His breakout performance was in the 2010 film “Rabbit Hole”, and he delivered a notable supporting role in the 2011 remake of “Footloose”. In addition, he starred in the teen comedy “21 & Over” in 2013.
Following his significant breakthrough performances, Teller experienced tremendous popularity in 2014 with films like “Whiplash,” “That Awkward Moment,” and “Divergent.” However, “The Spectacular Now” stands out as his least recognized movie – a truth that can’t be denied. His exceptional performance in this film ensures it won’t easily be overlooked.
Woodley delivers a commendable performance as the shy Aimee, a character somewhat reminiscent of her role as Amy in “The Secret Life of the American Teenager,” yet distinct enough to highlight different facets of her acting prowess. Her exceptional portrayal earned her a nomination for an Independent Spirit Award in the movie.
The movie boasts a subtly impressive ensemble featuring stars such as Jennifer Jason Leigh, Kyle Chandler, Mary Elizabeth Winstead, Bob Odenkirk, Kaitlyn Dever, and Brie Larson, who was nearly ready for her Academy Award-winning performance in Room and had yet to achieve the fame she later earned in the Marvel Cinematic Universe.
Here’s the full The Spectacular Now cast:
- Miles Teller as Sutter Keely
- Shailene Woodley as Aimee Finecky
- Brie Larson as Cassidy Roy
- Jennifer Jason Leigh as Sara Keely
- Kyle Chandler as Tommy Keely
- Mary Elizabeth Winstead as Holly Keely
- Dayo Okeniyi as Marcus West
- Andre Royo as Mr. Aster
- Bob Odenkirk as Dan
- Kaitlyn Dever as Krystal
If you’re a Miles Teller fan following his performance in “Top Gun: Maverick” or other films, yet haven’t seen “The Spectacular Now” before, know that this romantic drama isn’t like typical teen movies. It’s deeply emotional and nuanced, often challenging to watch due to its striking realism. However, it’s more than worth the emotional investment to grasp its profound meaning.
In addition, be advised that the conclusion of “The Spectacular Now” isn’t immediately clear. Caution: Some minor spoilers follow! The outcome of Sutter and Aimee’s relationship remains unclear. Are they together in the end? What transpires?! This ambiguity mirrors life’s uncertainty. The open-ended finale encourages pondering and allows us to imagine their fate on our own. This thoughtfully evocative ending makes these characters linger in our minds.
As a gamer, I recently binged on “The Spectacular Now” on Netflix, and let me tell you, Miles Teller was a standout! If you’re still hooked like me, don’t miss his performance in the Netflix original film “Spiderhead”. In August 2024, you can find all three Divergent movies and “Thank You for Your Service” on Netflix as well. Shailene Woodley, who played a pivotal role in the Divergent series, also stars in the Sony movie “Dumb Money” and the Netflix original film “The Last Letter from Your Lover”, both available on Netflix too!
Watch The Spectacular Now on Netflix beginning Aug. 1.
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2024-08-01 00:33