Liberal Arts - B

Unrated, 97 minutes

Talky but pleasant "Liberal Arts" opens up possibilities

Elizabeth Olsen and Josh Radnor

The effusive new romantic comedy explores the possibility of trying new things and reaching your potential. Low-key, hardly revelatory but still engaging, director, writer and star Josh Radnor ("How I Met Your Mother") clearly has an affinity for Woody Allen comedies, which in some ways this film attempts to mimic. Newly single and uninspired by his job in college admissions, the introverted Jesse Fisher (Radnor) lives with his head buried in a book and longing for his college days of past. So when his favorite professor (Richard Jenkins) invites him back to campus to speak at his retirement dinner, Jesse jumps at the chance. Meeting the precocious college student Zibby (Elizabeth Olsen) awakens in him long-dormant feelings of possibility and connection. The talky and pleasant but thin "Liberal Arts" has a certain awkward charm to it as it looks at a thirtysomething professional who is struggling to find himself. It has a few amusing moments, though it's really just a surface, somewhat meandering exploration of relationships and humanity; it's a film that will leave you with a smile rather than laugh-out loud chuckles. Radnor, who's clearly trying to make the transition from TV to film as "How I Met Your Mother" nears the end of its run, is, much like his TV character, a solid, likable lead who grounds the film well, and he and Olsen have decent chemistry together. Watch for a few sturdy character actors, including Jenkins, Allison Janney, Elizabeth Reaser, and in an unexpected but amusing small part, Zac Efron. "Liberal Arts" is a mildly amusing, serviceable effort that's far from perfect but will leave you feeling good about yourself.

Wes's Grade: B