Post Grad Synopsis & Review: Plot Summary

🎯 Quick Overview

😅 Plot Summary – Badly Explained

A girl has a quarter-life crisis because she can’t get a job, so she dumps her hot Brazilian fling to chase after her best friend, proving that knowing someone forever is better than spontaneous happiness.

🍿 Post Grad: Detailed Plot Synopsis

Graduation and Disappointment

Ryden Malby, a recent college graduate, anticipates a bright future with a job at Happerman & Browning, a publishing house. She’s so confident, she puts a deposit on a new apartment. At graduation, her rival, Jessica Bard, is the valedictorian. Ryden’s optimism is quickly shattered when Jessica gets the job, forcing Ryden to move back in with her quirky family: her father, Walter; her mother, Carmella; her eccentric grandmother, Maureen; and her younger brother, Hunter.

Job Search and Romantic Entanglements

Ryden faces numerous rejections in her job search. Her father accidentally runs over the cat of their handsome Brazilian neighbor, David Santiago. Ryden becomes attracted to David and takes a job working on his infomercials. Meanwhile, Adam, Ryden’s best friend who has always harbored feelings for her, struggles with his unrequited love and considers moving to New York for law school.

Realizations and Second Chances

Ryden forgets a date with Adam due to her involvement with David, leading to a confrontation and Adam’s decision to leave for New York. Eventually, Ryden is offered the job at Happerman & Browning after Jessica is fired. However, David decides to return to Brazil. Ryden realizes that relationships are more important than career ambitions, leading her to make a life-altering decision.

⚠️ Spoilers and Ending Explained

🎬 Cast & Characters

• Ryden Malby (Alexis Bledel): A recent college graduate whose meticulously planned life is disrupted when she struggles to find a job and love.
• Adam Davies (Zach Gilford): Ryden’s platonic best friend who secretly loves her and eventually moves to New York for law school.
• Walter Malby (Michael Keaton): Ryden’s optimistic but eccentric father, who often tries to fix things himself and find get-rich-quick schemes.
• Carmella Malby (Jane Lynch): Ryden’s grounded and supportive mother who manages the family’s finances.
• Grandma Maureen (Carol Burnett): Ryden’s eccentric grandmother who provides quirky humor and wisdom.
• David Santiago (Rodrigo Santoro): Ryden’s handsome Brazilian neighbor with whom she has a brief affair, leading to her realization about life’s priorities.
• Jessica Bard (Catherine Reitman): Ryden’s arrogant college classmate and professional rival who initially gets Ryden’s dream job.

💬 Memorable Quotes

• Ryden: “I had a plan. I always have a plan.” – Ryden’s opening line shows her meticulously planned approach to life and career, which crumbles after graduation.
• David Santiago: “What you do with your life is, really just one half of the equation. The other half, the more important half, really is, who you’re with when you’re doing it.” – David shares his perspective on life which helps Ryden reevaluate her priorities and her relationships.
• Adam: “Any problem can be solved with an Eskimo Pie.” – Adam offers this quirky, comforting advice to Ryden, which later becomes a symbol of their bond and reconciliation.
• Walter Malby: “It’s a kick-ass idea!” – Ryden’s father’s enthusiastic approval of Ryden quitting her job to follow Adam highlights the family’s supportive but unconventional nature.

💰Box Office

• Budget: $15,000,000
• Domestic Gross: $6,380,019
• Worldwide Gross: $6,414,729

💥 Post Grad Reviews

Personal Review

Okay, so I went into this movie expecting a light, fluffy rom-com, and that’s pretty much what I got. It was cute and definitely relatable, especially the part where Ryden is desperately searching for a job. I felt her pain! Michael Keaton as the dad was hilarious, and honestly, I kind of wanted her to end up with the hot Brazilian neighbor, but I guess predictable is what I needed that day. It’s not going to win any awards, but it made me smile.

• Who would enjoy:
  • “Fans of Alexis Bledel”
  • “Viewers who enjoy light romantic comedies”
  • “Those who can relate to the struggles of post-graduation life”
• Content warnings ⚠:
  • “Mild language”
  • “Suggestive content”

Professional Reviews

• Rotten Tomatoes: “Post Grad’s talented cast is wasted on a predictable, cliché-ridden script that fails to deliver laughs or insights. The movie feels disjointed, relying on tired tropes without offering anything fresh or original. The humor falls flat, and the plot meanders aimlessly, leaving viewers with a sense of wasted potential.
• IMDB User: “While not a cinematic masterpiece, Post Grad offers lighthearted entertainment with relatable themes. Alexis Bledel shines as Ryden, capturing the struggles of post-grad life. The supporting cast, including Michael Keaton and Carol Burnett, add comedic flair, but the plot can feel predictable. Enjoyable for a casual viewing.
• Film Critic: “Post Grad is a forgettable rom-com that fails to capitalize on its promising premise and talented cast. The film lacks originality and depth, relying on tired tropes and predictable plotlines. Alexis Bledel delivers a charming performance, but it’s not enough to salvage the lackluster script and uninspired direction.

Audience Reactions

Michael Keaton’s wacky dad was the highlight of the movie; he stole every scene he was in.: Most people found the movie to be a relatable depiction of the struggles of post-grad life, even if it was a bit predictable.

Alexis Bledel was charming and made the movie worth watching.: Many viewers felt the movie was cute and harmless, a good choice when you’re looking for something lighthearted and easy to watch.

Overall Consensus: Post Grad is a lighthearted romantic comedy that is generally considered cute and relatable, but also predictable and somewhat forgettable. It’s a good choice for a casual watch if you enjoy rom-coms and don’t mind cliché tropes.

Awards

🛠️ Behind the Scenes

• “Amanda Bynes was originally cast in the lead role of Ryden Malby, but she later dropped out of the project.”
• “The film features several actors known for their comedic roles, including Michael Keaton, Jane Lynch, and Carol Burnett, adding a comedic element to the post-graduation struggles depicted.”
• “Post Grad was directed by Vicky Jenson, who is primarily known for her work in animated films such as “Shrek” and “Shark Tale.””

🖥️ How to Watch Post Grad?

Post Grad is available for purchase or rental on various digital platforms, including Amazon Prime Video, Apple TV, and Google Play Movies. Check your local listings for streaming availability on services like Hulu, Netflix, or through cable providers. DVD and Blu-ray copies can also be found through online retailers.

🎥 Similar Movies

If you enjoyed Post Grad, you might like these similar films:

• Reality Bites (1994): A group of friends grappling with post-college life, love, and the uncertainty of the future.
• The Graduate (1967): Deals with the confusion and uncertainty of post-graduation life and finding one’s place in the world.
• Waiting… (2005): Highlights the struggle of working low paying jobs after college while discovering a direction in life.
• Accepted (2006): Similar theme of dealing with post-graduation life and the challenges that come along with it.

🛒 Post Grad Related Products

• Post Grad [DVD]: Own the movie on DVD and enjoy the special features including behind-the-scenes footage and interviews with the cast. A great way to revisit the film and share it with friends and family.
• Gilmore Girls: The Complete Series [DVD]: Rediscover Alexis Bledel’s breakout role as Rory Gilmore in this charming series. A perfect binge-watching experience for fans of heartwarming stories and witty dialogue.
• Friday Night Lights: The Complete Series [DVD]: Follow the small town of Dillon, Texas and their love for football. Zach Gilford stars as Matt Saracen in this Emmy Award winning TV show.
• Funny Graphic T-Shirt ‘After College I Moved Back Home’ : Funny graphic t-shirt. 100% cotton and machine washable. If you are a College Student then this t-shirt if for you.

🎧 Soundtrack

Post Grad features a captivating soundtrack that enhances the movie’s atmosphere and emotional impact. Here are some notable tracks:

• “Pony (It’s OK)” – performed by Erin McCarley

You can find the complete soundtrack on Amazon Music and Apple Music.

🤨 FAQ

🔥 Bonus Content

[0027] Zipping Up Alexis Bledel in Post Grad (2009)

Ever had that awkward moment needing help with a zipper? This clip perfectly captures that relatable struggle with a touch of rom-com charm. It’s a fun, quick scene that really shows the character’s budding connection – I think it’s super cute!

Alexis Bledel foot massage

Want to see a slightly quirky, somewhat uncomfortable, and totally relatable movie moment? Check out this clip of Alexis Bledel getting a foot massage in ‘Post Grad’. It’s a brief scene, but it says so much about her character and the film’s humor – trust me, it’s worth a watch!

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