George, a lonely and fatalistic teen who's made it all the way to his senior year without ever having done a real day of work, is befriended by Sally, a popular but complicated girl who recognizes in him a kindred spirit.
There are several lessons to be learned in "The Art of Getting By," though all arrive too late to save this well-meaning but dreadfully executed movie.
– Joe Neumaier,
New York Daily News,
17 Jun 2011
rotten:
For anyone not in a similar state of age-related solipsism - i.e., anyone outside the 16- to 25-year-old age bracket - this is more than a little annoying.
– Michael O'Sullivan,
Washington Post,
17 Jun 2011
rotten:
A dull yet extremely self-important drama about rich, badly parented kids who feel sorry for themselves.
– Stephen Whitty,
Newark Star-Ledger,
17 Jun 2011
rotten:
The Art of Getting By wants to be sweet and insightful, but ends up scattered and slight.
– Tom Long,
Detroit News,
17 Jun 2011
rotten:
The vapidity of The Art of Getting By goes beyond the anthill-sized dramatic stakes. The dialogue, while occasionally epigrammatic, is tone-deaf to individual speech rhythms.