James Ponsoldt's The Spectacular Now is a high-school romance film that doesn't play by the rules

REVIEW: The Spectacular Now is a wonderful movie that will stir the emotions long after it is over.

The beauty of living in the now

THE SPECTACULAR NOW

Director: James Ponsoldt (Smashed)

Starring: Shailene Woodley, Miles Teller, Brie Larson, Jennifer Jason Leigh, Bob Odenkirk

Rated: M

Rating: 4/5

AN unpolished gem in every way, finding new life and surprising depth in a genre most have written off as dormant and shallow.

This might be a high-school romance movie, but it is one that doesn't play by the predictable rules. Aimee (Shailene Woodley) has never had a boyfriend like Sutter (Miles Teller) before. In fact, she has never had a boyfriend, full stop.

Having led a sheltered existence of her design - delivering papers in the early morning, and reading manga late into the night - Aimee was happy enough as a solo act.

But now she is distracted, delighted and, in an odd way, fulfilled by being part of a duo.

Sutter is enamoured by Aimee as well. But he has already "been around" too much to be totally in the moment with his new love.

Sutter also drinks too much. Not just at parties or when going out. He'll take a swig when he can in daylight hours. Takes the edge off. Helps him forget stuff like where his dad disappeared to.

Like Perks of Being a Wallflower, this movie convincingly charts the many dramas that are part of being a teenager. The sincere chemistry that evolves between Woodley and Teller never lets its intensity nor intimacy flag for a moment.

Viewers who lock into the precise storytelling frequency transmitted here must be willing to let their eyes be opened and their hearts broken.

Make that commitment, and this wonderful movie will forge a connection that will continue to stir the emotions well after it is over.