MovieChat Forums > The Spectacular Now (2013) Discussion > loved the first half, second half not so...

loved the first half, second half not so much

posted 10 years ago by mrrockey
3 replies | jump to latest

Am I the only one who loved this film's first half but not so much its second? For me, the first half was funny, genuine, and just overall charming while the second half with all the stuff about his dad and divorce just came off really cliche and forced to me. I'm really *beep* tired of all these movies about teens that always revolve around divorced parents. It's just so cliche and overdone and these films never really explore it that deeply.

Also, there were just some scenes where I didn't get Sutter. I just don't get why does he say "You don't love me." to Aimee. Seriously, what makes him say that? Did he not make her cum in bed or something? It just comes off as such a forced and cliche scene. And was the whole Aimee getting hit by a car thing really necessary? Lastly, like a lot of people here, I thought the ending left a little to be desired. I have no problem with it being left a little ambiguous, but it just came off so abrupt to me. If you want to see a better version of this type of ending done, check out this little Hong Kong film called An Autumn's Tale. That film did it far more effectively.

Anyone else agree with me that the first half was great but the second half was a little lacking?

Discuss...

[–] tristanp25 9 years ago

I agree that the first half was considerably more compelling than the second half. I enjoyed the sweet interactions and romance between Sutter and Aimee.

As for the second half, I sort of expected more out of the situation between Sutter and his dad. That really didn't go anywhere enough to warrant Sutter getting so upset and emotional. Sure he held his dad in high regard only to discover his dad never really tried to have time to be a parent but he has his mom, sister and girlfriend. No real need to say "nobody loves me."

I wanted more out of the ending as well. It felt slightly abrupt but I'll just take it. The Spectacular Now is overall a nice, pleasant and rewarding film to watch, with a good conclusive message.

[–] spookyrat1 9 years ago

The first half is more akin to your stereotypical American high school teen dramedy. The second half which I found far more interesting, explores far darker issues, though I agree with you, not always with total success. (How there weren't more legal and social repercussions over Aimee's car accident, I'll never know?)

"You don't love me."

He is starting to realise, like his father, he is his own worst enemy and is actually telling her, he doesn't want her to love him, because as Cassidy later correctly infers, he is trouble on two legs.

I thought the ending left a little to be desired ...

I thought the ending was fine. He's hopefully optimistic, but carrying lots of baggage. Aimee, perhaps getting over the first love blues, is looking almost embarrassed to see him there. I for one, am really glad it didn't end up like your typical high school romance.🐭

[–] B_Light 9 years ago

I disagree. I feel like the first have was very generic and towards the middle it finally became serious and realistic. Like we actually felt something