Liberal Arts Synopsis & Review: Plot Summary

🎯 Quick Overview

😅 Plot Summary – Badly Explained

A 35-year-old man goes back to college, flirts with a student half his age, and then realizes he should probably date someone closer to his own age, all while existential dread looms.

🍿 Liberal Arts: Detailed Plot Synopsis

Returning to Alma Mater

Jesse Fisher, a 35-year-old college admissions officer in New York City, feels disconnected from his life. He receives an invitation to the retirement dinner of his favorite professor, Peter Hoberg, at his alma mater in Ohio. He sees this as an opportunity to rekindle the passion he once felt during his college years. Upon arriving, Jesse is immediately immersed in the familiar atmosphere of academia. He reunites with Professor Hoberg, who is struggling with the idea of retirement, and meets a vibrant 19-year-old student named Zibby. This sets the stage for a series of encounters that challenge Jesse’s perspective on life and love.

An Unlikely Connection

Jesse and Zibby form an unexpected bond over their shared love for literature and classical music. Despite their 16-year age difference, they connect intellectually and emotionally, exchanging letters filled with thoughtful observations. Their connection sparks a renewed sense of excitement and possibility in Jesse’s life. However, their burgeoning relationship faces challenges. Jesse grapples with the ethical implications of dating a student so much younger than him, while Zibby’s youthful exuberance clashes with Jesse’s more cynical worldview. These tensions create a complex dynamic that tests the boundaries of their connection.

Navigating Relationships and Realizations

As Jesse spends more time on campus, he interacts with other significant figures from his past and present. He reconnects with his former professor, Judith Fairfield, experiencing a disillusioning encounter that shatters his idealized view of her. He also befriends Dean, a troubled student who reminds him of his younger self. These interactions force Jesse to confront his own insecurities and anxieties about aging and lost potential. Through his relationships with Zibby, Dean, and others, Jesse begins to understand the importance of embracing the present and finding joy in the moment.

⚠️ Spoilers and Ending Explained

🎬 Cast & Characters

• Jesse Fisher (Josh Radnor): A 35-year-old admissions officer who returns to his alma mater and grapples with nostalgia and an unexpected connection with a younger student.
• Zibby (Elizabeth Olsen): A precocious 19-year-old college student who forms an intellectual and emotional bond with Jesse.
• Nat (Zac Efron): A free-spirited and philosophical character who offers Jesse unconventional wisdom and perspective.
• Professor Peter Hoberg (Richard Jenkins): Jesse’s former college professor who is struggling with his decision of retirement.
• Professor Judith Fairfield (Allison Janney): Jesse’s favorite professor, and inspiration when he was a student, who provides a cynical contrast to Jesse’s idealism.
• Dean (John Magaro): A clinically depressed student who Jesse sees as a younger more destructive version of himself.

💬 Memorable Quotes

• Professor Peter Hoberg: “Any place you don’t leave is a prison.” – Said when discussing the feeling of being stuck and the importance of experiencing new things.
• Zibby: “It’s not Tolstoy, but it’s not television, and it makes me happy.” – Zibby defending her enjoyment of popular vampire novels, highlighting the value of personal enjoyment over intellectual snobbery.
• Jesse: “Guilt before action is called morality.” – Expressing a personal philosophy on the nature and source of moral values.

💰Box Office

• Budget: $2,000,000
• Domestic Gross: $327,345
• Worldwide Gross: $1,150,681

💥 Liberal Arts Reviews

Personal Review

I absolutely loved this movie! It felt like a love letter to anyone who’s ever felt lost or unsure of their path. The dialogue was so sharp and witty, and the characters were incredibly relatable. The scene where Jesse and Zibby are exchanging letters about classical music was so beautiful and refreshing. It reminded me of the joy of intellectual connection and sparked my interest in exploring classical music. The ending was bittersweet but ultimately hopeful. ‘Liberal Arts’ is a gem!

• Who would enjoy:
  • “Fans of indie dramedies”
  • “Viewers interested in stories about college life and relationships”
  • “People who appreciate witty dialogue and intellectual themes”
  • “Fans of Josh Radnor, Elizabeth Olsen, or Richard Jenkins”
• Content warnings ⚠:
  • “Mature themes”
  • “Some suggestive content”
  • “Brief drug reference”
  • “Discussion of mental health issues”

Professional Reviews

• IndieWire: “Radnor delivers a warm, intelligent, and consistently engaging film. While it occasionally flirts with pretension, the strength of the performances and the genuine wit of the script keep it grounded. It’s a satisfyingly quirky dramedy.
• The Hollywood Reporter: “A smart and enjoyable film that should strike a chord with college students current and former. The witty writing and earnest cast make its few pretentious missteps easy to brush off affectionately.
• Variety: “Radnor’s sophomore feature proves he’s a talent to watch, even if his ideas don’t always fully coalesce. The film benefits from a strong ensemble cast, especially Elizabeth Olsen, who brings depth and nuance to her role.

Audience Reactions

The witty dialogue and intellectual humor resonated with viewers, making it a smart and engaging watch.: Many viewers praised the film’s thoughtful exploration of age, relationships, and finding meaning in life.

Elizabeth Olsen’s performance as Zibby was a standout, with many praising her charm and authenticity.: Viewers found the film relatable, especially those who have experienced the transition from college to adulthood.

Overall Consensus: A charming and intelligent dramedy that explores themes of nostalgia, relationships, and finding your way in life. While it may not be for everyone, those who appreciate witty dialogue and thoughtful character development will find much to enjoy.

Awards

🛠️ Behind the Scenes

• “Filmed mostly at Josh Radnor’s alma mater, Kenyon College, in Gambier, Ohio, which is a small liberal arts school.”
• “Allison Janney, who plays Professor Judith Fairfield, was also a student at Kenyon College.”

🖥️ How to Watch Liberal Arts?

Liberal Arts is available for streaming on platforms like Prime Video and Apple TV, where you can rent or purchase the film. Check local listings for availability on other streaming services. You can also find purchase options on digital storefronts such as Google Play Movies and Vudu. Physical copies on DVD and Blu-ray may also be available from online retailers.

🎥 Similar Movies

If you enjoyed Liberal Arts, you might like these similar films:

• Garden State (2004): Similar themes of quarter-life crisis and returning to one’s roots to find direction.
• Frances Ha (2012): Explores the struggles of young adulthood and finding one’s place in the world with a focus on character-driven narratives.
• Reality Bites (1994): Captures the anxieties and uncertainties of post-college life in the 90s, similar to the struggles depicted in Liberal Arts.

🛒 Liberal Arts Related Products

• The Norton Anthology of English Literature: This comprehensive anthology is a perfect companion for fans of ‘Liberal Arts,’ featuring many of the authors discussed in the film, like Blake, Tolstoy, and Shakespeare.
• Classical Music for Beginners: A Guide to the Great Composers and Their Masterpieces: This book is great way to get into classical music like Jesse and Zibby in the movie.
• Vintage Style Messenger Bag: A stylish canvas messenger bag perfect for carrying books, notebooks, and all your essentials. With a vintage aesthetic, it is reminiscent of the bags used on college campuses.
• Kenyon College T-Shirt: Show your love for Kenyon College with this officially licensed T-shirt. A great way to remember the movie’s setting, this is a good product for alumni or fans of the movie.

🎧 Soundtrack

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

• “Poison Tree” – performed by Moby
• “String Quartet No. 14 in D Minor, D. 810 Death and the Maiden: I. Allegro ma non troppo” – performed by Franz Schubert
• “Overture to The Marriage of Figaro” – performed by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart

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

🤨 FAQ

🔥 Bonus Content

Why Hollywood Won’t Cast Josh Radnor Anymore

Ever wonder why Ted Mosby, aka Josh Radnor, isn’t in more stuff these days? This video dives into the reasons Hollywood might be hesitant to cast him, and it’s actually pretty insightful considering he wrote and directed ‘Liberal Arts’!

Liberal Arts – Zac Efron’s Scenes

Zac Efron’s in ‘Liberal Arts’? Yep! This is a quick compilation of all his scenes. He is amazing in this movie, if you are a fan of zac efron, you might like to watch this!

Liberal Arts “age difference math” scene

Remember that awkward but funny “age difference math” scene in ‘Liberal Arts’? It’s a classic! Watch it again here. I think it makes the film so much better!

✨ Rate