Admission Synopsis & Review: Plot Summary

🎯 Quick Overview

😅 Plot Summary – Badly Explained

A Princeton admissions officer bends over backwards for a kid who might be her long-lost son, only to find out he’s not, making her life a complicated, messy rom-com.

🍿 Admission: Detailed Plot Synopsis

Introduction to Portia’s World

Portia Nathan (Tina Fey) is a dedicated admissions officer at Princeton University, deeply invested in upholding its prestigious reputation. Her life is meticulously organized, but somewhat stagnant, with a long-term relationship lacking spark and a looming competition for a promotion. The pressure mounts as Princeton faces a dip in rankings, adding to Portia’s already stressful workload.

A Blast from the Past

Portia’s routine is disrupted when she receives a call from John Pressman (Paul Rudd), an old college acquaintance. John runs an alternative high school and believes that one of his students, Jeremiah (Nat Wolff), might be the son Portia gave up for adoption years ago. Intrigued and somewhat skeptical, Portia visits John’s school, setting off a chain of events that challenge her values and career.

Bending the Rules

As Portia gets to know Jeremiah, she becomes increasingly convinced that he deserves a chance at Princeton, despite his unconventional background and less-than-stellar academic record. Driven by a mix of maternal instinct and a desire to make amends for her past, Portia begins to bend the admissions rules, putting her career and reputation at risk.

⚠️ Spoilers and Ending Explained

🎬 Cast & Characters

• Portia Nathan (Tina Fey): A Princeton admissions officer whose life is upended when she reconsiders a past adoption and bends rules for a potential student.
• John Pressman (Paul Rudd): A free-spirited alternative school director who believes one of his students is Portia’s son and encourages her to reconsider her life.
• Jeremiah (Nat Wolff): A gifted but unconventional student at John’s school who may or may not be Portia’s biological son.
• Corinne (Gloria Reuben): Portia’s ambitious and competitive rival for the position of dean of admissions at Princeton.
• Mark (Michael Sheen): Portia’s unfulfilling boyfriend who abruptly leaves her, adding to her life’s upheaval.
• Susannah (Lily Tomlin): Portia’s eccentric and unconventional feminist mother, with whom Portia has a strained relationship.

💬 Memorable Quotes

• Jeremiah: “I read everything. I read biographies, mainly because I didn’t know how other people live their lives. I think my variations reading came from a deep longing for something that was missing. I was searching for someone, for my story. To not feel so alone.” – Jeremiah explains his extensive reading habits and his search for identity.

💰Box Office

• Budget: $13,000,000
• Domestic Gross: $18,007,317
• Worldwide Gross: $18,637,201

💥 Admission Reviews

Personal Review

I went in expecting a laugh-out-loud comedy, but Admission was more of a heartwarming drama with some funny moments. Tina Fey and Paul Rudd are always great, and I loved seeing them explore more emotional territory. I especially connected with Portia’s struggle to find her path and take risks. The scene where she admits Jeremiah into Princeton, despite knowing the potential consequences, really hit me hard. Definitely a feel-good movie with surprising depth. I would rewatch this anyday!

• Who would enjoy:
  • “Fans of Tina Fey and Paul Rudd”
  • “Viewers interested in college admissions stories”
  • “Those who enjoy dramedies with a touch of romance”
• Content warnings ⚠:
  • “Implied sexual content”
  • “Mature themes related to adoption”
  • “Some language”

Professional Reviews

• Rotten Tomatoes: “While Tina Fey and Paul Rudd bring their considerable charm, ‘Admission’ suffers from a tonal imbalance, never quite deciding whether it’s a comedy or a drama, resulting in a muddled and ultimately unsatisfying experience.
• IMDb: “Admission is a film that struggles to decide what it wants to be. With a cast consisting of comedians like Tina Fey and Paul Rudd, many expect a light hearted and humorous film. However, there are also elements of drama woven into this movie, such as issues of adoption and complicated relationships.
• User Review: “The amusing Admission is the first successful comedy of the year and a reasonable look at the admission process for an elite college–Princeton. Tina Fey as Portia and Paul Rudd as John turn in pleasant performances as an admissions executive and a progressive school teacher respectively. Overall, I was impressed with the movie and its differentness

Audience Reactions

Tina Fey and Paul Rudd’s charming performances elevate a somewhat predictable story.: Viewers generally enjoyed the movie for its likable leads and heartfelt moments, even if the plot felt familiar.

Overall Consensus: Admission is a watchable but flawed dramedy, bolstered by the performances of Tina Fey and Paul Rudd, but ultimately lacking the comedic punch or dramatic depth to truly stand out.

Awards

🛠️ Behind the Scenes

• “Paul Rudd replaced Owen Wilson in the role of John Pressman.”
• “The film explores the high-pressure environment of college admissions at elite universities.”
• “Lily Tomlin’s character, Susannah, is a staunch feminist and writer, adding a layer of complexity to Portia’s background.”

🖥️ How to Watch Admission?

Admission is available to rent or purchase on various platforms, including Amazon Prime Video, Apple TV, Google Play Movies, and Vudu. Check your local listings for cable and satellite on-demand options. Availability may vary by region.

🎥 Similar Movies

If you enjoyed Admission, you might like these similar films:

• About a Boy (2002): Similar themes of personal growth and unexpected connections leading to profound life changes.
• In Good Company (2004): Explores similar themes of career vs personal life and unexpected relationships in a workplace setting.

🛒 Admission Related Products

• Princeton University Sweatshirt: Officially licensed Princeton University sweatshirt, perfect for showing your school pride or cosplaying as Portia.
• The Jean Hanff Korelitz Collection: Dive deeper into the world of Jean Hanff Korelitz who wrote the novel that the film was based on.
• 30 Rock: The Complete Series: Relive Tina Fey’s comedic genius in ’30 Rock,’ showcasing her writing and acting skills.
• The Fundamentals of Caring: Starring Paul Rudd in a touching and funny story about an unlikely friendship.

🎧 Soundtrack

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

• “2-Part Invention #1 in C, BWV 772” – performed by Johann Sebastian Bach
• “What I Wouldn’t Do” – performed by A Fine Frenzy

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

🤨 FAQ

🔥 Bonus Content

‘Admission’ | Unscripted | Tina Fey, Paul Rudd

Ever wondered what Tina Fey and Paul Rudd *really* thought about making ‘Admission’? Check out this fun Q&A where they answer fan questions! Their chemistry is hilarious, and you might learn something new about the movie too.

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