If someone is lucky enough to experience college, Liberal Arts will either be a pleasant memory or a painful regret of what was. Writer/Director/Star Josh Radnor filmed this story at his alma mater and clearly has his heart in this material. While the story does hit some high notes, in general, it has some contrived scenes as well as a forced character transformation for the lead Jesse (played by Radnor). Let’s face it: Zibby is just too intoxicating.
Jesse is Admissions bored. Living in New York but living in the past, he spends most of his time at a local bookstore, rereading the books he learned about at school. Fate calls in the form of Professor Hoberg (Richard Jenkins), who is retiring and wants Jesse to speak on his behalf. At dinner, he meets Zibby (Elizabeth Olsen), a plucky college sophomore who instantly connects with Jesse. They keep their connection going, and Jesse agrees to visit her again, but this visit will come with added complications.
Liberal Arts is at its best when Zibby is on-screen. Elizabeth Olsen exhumes a playful, sensual intensity that is palpable in every scene with Jesse. In addition, she has to show considerable range as she is an unfinished person, which Olsen can perform easily. My heart jumped a little bit every time Zibby gets a line of dialogue, and I look forward to any new project for Olsen in the future.
Jesse’s arc ebbs and flows like his existence. Maybe Josh Radnor felt he himself was a contradiction, because Jesse’s behavior is hard to define. He tends to talk down to Zibby, but another kid her same age (an inspired Zac Efron) he treats like a peer, but he treats all adults like mentors even when they try to act on his level. Liberal Arts wants to be mature and smart about its characters, but doesn’t actually know what that is.
This is best expressed with Jesse. Radnor makes Jesse the sounding board for other people and plays him more low-key. This choice is great for the other actors around him, making them more interesting. However, this leaves Jesse as the least interesting character in the movie. His arc has complexity, but it makes the audience want more of Professor Hoberg or Zibby instead of cheer for Jesse.
Liberal Arts falls into the forgettable category as far as college comedies go. It means well and is pretty harmless, but like its lead, masquerades like it has something to say. I will remember Liberal Arts as one of the vehicles that Elizabeth Olsen rides into superstardom towards her first Academy Award.