THE ART OF GETTING BY (PG-13)
Starring Freddie Highmore, Emma Roberts, Michael Angarano, and Blair Underwood
Released by Fox Searchlight

Every so often, engaging performances can transform a familiar story into something much more interesting than it might have been otherwise. The Art of Getting By (formally Homework) is such a story. Taking a page from John Hughes' playbook, this film from writer/director Gavin Wiesen features Freddie Highmore as an intellectual high school student in the midst of an identity crisis. While trying to figure out the meaning of life, this socially awkward teen is blindsided by that funny thing called love. The object of his affection is a cute and lively Emma Roberts. There isn't anything particularly new about The Art of Getting By, but it is much more honest than your average expose on the trials and tribulations of high school life, and the performances (most notably a wonderfully entertaining Michael Angarano-- who hits all the right notes as an arrogant artist who ultimately becomes Highmore's worst nightmare) are strong right across the board. The Art of Getting By doesn't quite stick the landing, but overall, I quite enjoyed it.