There’s a time when you look back on past elements of your life and wish that you could revisit them. Jesse Fisher (Josh Radnor) is torn by this kind of dilemma in the film he wrote and directed himself Liberal Arts.
Jesse, a man in his mid-thirties who has just suffered a relationship break-up, is invited by one of his favourite ex university professors Professor Hoberg (Richard Jenkins) to his retirement party. While there, he encounters a young student Zibby (Elizabeth Olsen) who he clicks with and ends up corresponding with in the old-fashioned way – letters and the occasional visit. He also comes across another of his previous lecturers, quirky and grouchy Professor Judith Fairfield (Allison Janey) and two young male students, the surreal Nat (Zac Effron) and stressed genius Dean (John Magaro).
From this short visit, he finds that his life take a turn. He finds himself exploring the changed ways of the younger generation, struggling with whether he should enter an age-gap relationship and witnessing the torments of his now retired professor.
The film handles its themes of expected behaviours at different times of your life with skill and doesn’t necessarily travel down the obvious routes. There’s also an element of humour in its quiet delivery. You find yourself thinking about what you would do in the situations it throws up. Radnor, seen in the television show How I Met Your Mother, makes a likeable lead and has crafted a very watchable movie.
This film is released now in the UK. Rating: 8 out of 10
Cherrydial 
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