Who the hell knew Ted Mosby was a director? Liberal Arts is the second directorial endeavour of How I Met Your Mother actor Josh Radnor, the comedy-drama receiving an overwhelmingly positive critical response since its premiere at Sundance early last year. Rightly so? Rightly so.

 

Upon returning to his alma mater after being dumped by his girlfriend, the introverted admissions officer Jesse (Josh Radnor) chances upon English major and improv student Zibby(Elizabeth Olsen), coincidentally, also the only Olsen sister who can act.

 

 

 

 

Letter writing, literature and a love for classical music are a few of the mutual interests the emotionally damaged 35-year old and the intellectually mature 19-year old share. Jesse, however, seems to think their age will be a hindrance to the relationship… 

 

Jesse could not be more unlike Ted: he is socially awkward, scholarly snobbish and severely pessimistic at the best of times. Writer-actor-director Radnor demonstrates great dexterity in contrasting his own character’s defeatist attitude with Zibby’s optimism, one of the picture’s notable strengths.

 

Radnor’s intriguing second effort ties itself together rather conveniently by the denouement but it follows a largely unpredictable narrative; one that is heartfelt and pragmatic.

 

 

 

 

Zibby’s own maturity ironically reflects that of the young Olsen’s, a possible deciding factor in her casting. The 23-year old is an acting maestro, supremely gifted beyond her years, unlike her more famous siblings.

 

Rising to prominence in the underwhelming but nonetheless critically acclaimed Martha Marcy May Marlene, she is in the same ranks as the more mainstream under-25 star Jennifer Lawrence. The actress seems set to become the indie poster girl of our times.

 

Something tells me this is only the beginning of a long and fruitful career for both Radnor and Olsen. I predict Oscars somewhere down the line.

 

 

Reviewed by Rehan Mudannayake

 

 

Stars - ★★★★