With “Poetic License,” director Maude Apatow crafts a charming, offbeat comedy that captures the intersections of youth and adulthood with remarkable authenticity and heart. This story spoke profoundly to both the younger and older version of myself, and I found so much that was relatable and real. This is a universal story about growth, longing, and connections, and it’s told with a genuine warmth and honesty that’s absolutely irresistible.
The movie tells the story of Liz (Leslie Mann), a married mother navigating the disorienting transition of moving to a small college town and feeling disconnected from her daughter’s (Nico Parker) world. With her professor husband (Method Man) busy all the time, Liz decides to enroll in a poetry class at the University. There, she meets the goofy, self-centered, and outspoken Ari (Cooper Hoffman) and his best friend Sam (Andrew Barth Feldman), a buttoned-up, conservative, aspiring financier.
As the trio find themselves hanging out together outside of class, an intimate friendship develops and things become complicated when both boys fall for Liz. This unexpected love triangle generates hilarious, awkward, and surprisingly touching moments, revealing the vulnerabilities of all three characters. It also highlights the nuances of connection across age and life experience, especially in a setting where the boundaries of age and status are blurred.
Hoffman is terrific here, giving a performance that feels effortlessly natural and perfectly attuned to his character’s blend of insecurity and charm. Mann is as delightful as ever, and Feldman is believable as the polar opposite sidekick. The actors work so well together, and their chemistry is nothing short of fantastic.
Apatow’s directorial debut is straightforward and pedestrian in style, but this simplicity serves the film well. By not getting too fancy, she allows the characters and their interactions to remain front and center. Raffi Donatich’s script has an offbeat comedy streak that feels both original and genuine, deftly balancing the perspectives of young adults with those a generation older. The writing gives each character a unique and authentic voice that makes the story feel real and heartfelt, and the humor is laugh out loud funny, gently affectionate, and never mean spirited.
The film also thoughtfully explores themes of identity and the tension between youthful dreams and adult responsibilities. Liz is able to reconnect with parts of herself she’d set aside, while Ari and Sam wrestle with their own futures and personal aspirations. The film underscores that college isn’t just about academic growth, but a rite of passage and pivotal stage for personal and emotional transformation for people of all ages. There’s a reason people say their college years were among the greatest of their lives.
With its heartfelt celebration of the messy, beautiful intersections of life’s different phases, “Poetic License” is warm, witty, and surprisingly insightful. This is a film that resonates whether you’re just starting out or looking back on your college years with well-earned nostalgia. A real charmer, this film is a fresh, original voice in the coming-of-age genre.
By: Louisa Moore
Screen Zealots 