Newly single, 35, and uninspired by his job, Jesse Fisher worries that his best days are behind him. But no matter how much he buries his head in a book, life keeps pulling Jesse back. When his favorite college professor invites him to campus to speak at his retirement dinner, Jesse jumps at the chance. He is prepared for the nostalgia of the dining halls and dorm rooms, the parties and poetry seminars; what he doesn’t see coming is Zibby – a beautiful, precocious, classical-music-loving sophomore. Zibby awakens scary, exciting, long-dormant feelings of possibility and connection that Jesse thought he had buried forever.
There are some entertaining and moving scenes here, but, overall, it's a bit softhearted for my taste.
– Walter V. Addiego,
San Francisco Chronicle,
28 Sep 2012
fresh:
As a comedy of manners, 'Liberal Arts' is perfectly likeable.But you might find its talky touchy-feeliness on the smug side.
– Cath Clarke,
Time Out,
2 Oct 2012
fresh:
Liberal Arts maneuvers its story in a philosophical way that is anything but detached. There's a warmth here that reminds audiences why college -- and, dare we say, their core curriculums? -- matter.
– Lisa Kennedy,
Denver Post,
5 Oct 2012
rotten:
For a film about aging and romanticism, "Liberal Arts" feels like it needs a more mature script.
– Tom Long,
Detroit News,
25 Oct 2012
fresh:
Poetic justice Is served in insightful LIBERAL ARTS