The semisweet hereafter

The Spectacular Now

Crit

Wow--this was way harder-edged than I expected, and way better, though I expected it to be pretty darned good. Among other excellences, it presents perhaps the most real movie teenagers I've ever seen, perhaps the most uncomfortably engaging loss of virginity, and certainly the most devastating portrayal--sans preachiness, the actions of Sutter Keely (Miles Teller) and his ever-present Thirst Master cup (think huge convenience store beverage) showing much more than any well-meaning friend or adult could tell--of teen alcoholism. Shailene Woodley, so good in The Descendants, may be even better here. A spectacularly good film that flirts with but never stoops to easy turns.

But one thing: they're in Georgia, so why does no one have a remotely Georgian accent?

Trailers

• Thanks for Sharing--Oddly, the trailer for this film about sex addiction was shown along with trailers for Don Jon (porn addiction) and The Wolf of Wall Street (money/sex/adrenaline/buzz addiction) before a film in which alcoholism plays a big part.