Discovering ‘The Art of Getting By’
Ashley Jo Will

If you are in the mood for a cute romantic comedy, “The Art of Getting By” may be the perfect fit, released on video on Nov. 29, 2011. George is a senior in high school. He attends a preparatory school since his father has paid for the tuition. George’s father left to work overseas years ago and his mother has since remarried. George is a brilliant young adult but has no motivation. Instead of paying attention in class or doing homework, he is often seen creating artwork on the paper in front of him. George is viewed as weird and he has no friends until he meets Sally, who appears to be a renegade like him.

The film starts with the narration of George. He often thinks about death. A favorite phrase of his is, “We all die alone.” George feels that everything is meaningless, especially class assignments, when he contemplates his unpreventable fate of eventual death. He responds with this sentiment when asked by an instructor why he did not complete his work. Despite George’s attitude, the school principal believes in the wayward student. George has gotten by with minimal motivation thus far but his senior year proves not to be just a breeze. Principal Martinson believes in George’s ability to excel and often gives him opportunities to succeed. He tells George, “Your future depends on the next few months.” Along with the principal, George’s mother is greatly concerned for her son’s future so he will be admitted into college and find a successful job.

George goes to the roof of the school and notices a pretty blond girl smoking a cigarette. A teacher appears exclaiming that she smells smoke. George decides to take the blame and quickly pulls out a cigarette while the girl tosses hers. He discovers the girl’s name is Sally and they soon become inseparable. Sally also introduces George to her friends, who are awed by his drawings from class and want to incorporate them into invitations to a party. Meeting new classmates is a first-time experience for George since he is a recluse and a misanthrope, although not by choice he says. Principal Martinson notices George’s new friends and warns him to be careful since they are far from a study group.

George is assigned to be the school’s liaison for an artist. Dustin, the artist, conducts an ill-prepared talk in front of George’s class. George befriends the struggling artist and hopes he will gain a mentor from the liaison relationship. Dustin is struck by Sally’s beauty but promises not to initiate a relationship with her since it is obvious George has developed feelings for his newfound friend. George has never had a girlfriend before and isn’t too sure what to do about his blossoming love for Sally. Sally’s mother tells her daughter that she should stay away from George; her mother is concerned that Sally is playing with George’s affections. Sally says that she is not and that George and her are only friends. George accompanies Sally to parties and clubs. He also teaches her the proper etiquette of skipping class and takes her to dinner. George’s awkward quest to not just be friends is easy to relate to for many teenagers on the brink of adulthood.

Sally’s parents and George’s parents are both divorced but are very different from each other. George’s mother is concerned about her son’s issues at school, including academic probation. She is also concerned about money, finding it hard to pay bills and losing hope in her husband’s failing profession. George is easily frustrated at home and often just wants to be left alone. Sally’s mother is seen as cool by George but is an embarrassment to Sally. She is single and is often out late with various lovers. She also serves alcohol to the youngsters. Even when George is recovering from a hangover, Sally’s mother gives him an alcoholic beverage to help him recover. Both children love their mothers but as typical of being a senior in high school, struggle to always get along with them.

There is a critical moment in the film when Principal Martinson gives George an ultimatum. George may either choose expulsion or complete a year’s worth of homework in the final three weeks of school, allowing him to graduate. With Sally constantly occupying George’s mind, he must find the motivation to complete his coursework in order to be admitted into an art school. George’s state of mind reminds me of real people I know who have been in a similar situation. He is smart but can’t bring himself to finish homework. His intelligence is proven when his English teacher asks him a question about the reading assignment and George surprises her with an insightful response. The art George creates instead of doing homework also showcases George’s talent. It is this ability that produces the art George uses to get by in life, including school.

The music in this film includes many catchy indie-rock songs by a variety of artists such as The Shins and Clap Your Hands Say Yeah. The songs in the film often capture the mood of George and the other characters. George is a free-thinking individual who is told that he thinks too much. He says he is allergic to his own hormones when he is with Sally. George is very introspective and says he fears life. Many people have thoughts like this but keep them internalized, unlike George who externalizes the majority of his thoughts. Similar to other young adults, George’s thoughts can be insightful or come off as rude. “The Art of Getting By” is definitely a feel-good movie where love seems to conquer all. It is about high school students but they are not often in school so it is easy to forget the age of the young adults. Grab this film for your next date night or fulfill your guilty pleasure of watching a sweet teen coming-of-age film and love story.