If you are an angst-ridden teenage art student, this film will probably seem 'like, totally awesome'. Otherwise, this vacuous and limply-drawn tale of a misanthropic teen who not only finds a friend and falls in love is a real test of patience. Freddie Highmore gives a disappointingly bland reading of a dull role, whilst Emma Roberts again shows an engaging stillness on-screen. There is a strong adult supporting cast including Rita Wilson, Blair Underwood and an unrecognisable Alicia Silverstone all in insignificantly-written character roles, and there is some nice work by Michael Angarano as ex-student artist Dustin. The passage of time through the college year is handled nicely, but in the final act any remaining semblance of credibility is thrown out in a mad dash for an inappropriate punch-the-air happy ending. The Art Of Getting By clearly has its heart in the right place, but it lacks depth in its rather flimsy treatment of the characters and issues.
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