College graduation. It is the moment that every child, parent, and grandparent anxiously awaits. It is that final occasion where youth transcends into adulthood, innocence into responsibility. However, as of late, that long and tedious ceremony has meant little as recent graduates have been stuck without a job, a hope, or a far crying wish. That is where Fox Atomic's new release, Post Grad, comes into play. And before you all start lining up for front row seats, this movie won't get you a job (in fact, it might cost a few people theirs). However, it does venture into one thing that no other film has dared to tackle - the economy.
Alexis Bledel, star of the hit television show 'Gilmore Girls,' is Ryden Malby, a recent college survivor who sees the world from her dream view within her dream apartment. But when she isn't chosen for her all-or-nothing job at a Los Angeles publishing firm, Ryden must suck it up and move back in with her parents. It is here, amid her quick witted grandmother and handyman father, that the true meaning to life, love, and happiness is discovered.
Sound cliché? Believe me - it is.
Sitting in the theater, I was hoping to like this movie. Not only had it appeared somewhat cute and entertaining, but it was the picture-perfect representation of my life (minus moving back in with the folks, of course). And while my hopes and expectations were there, neither Alexis nor her co-stars could deliver the much needed punch line, leaving me in a state of disarray at the mediocrity at which I had devoted nearly an hour and a half of my life.
Now don't get me wrong, the movie did have its moments. A cat's funeral, an awkward walk-in by the entire family, and a somewhat humorous opening give the film the occasional plus. Unfortunately, the other hour and seventeen minutes are bland, uneventful, and comically predictable. The love interest, the true backbone of the story, is a bit forced, even though it doesn't serve as the film's core basic principle until the final half hour. This the first sixty minutes is home to a number of subplots and detours, all of which are cute, but not entertaining.
Bledel, known for her innocent charm and youthful looks, gives off mixed vibes as the young and career-driven Ryden. Her wardrobe, complete with business suits and professional attire, constantly looks out of place as it reminded me of 'dress-up' and career fair day in high school. She wears confidence into every interview; yet, as soon as she opens her mouth, she sounds redundant, generic, and plain - much like the film itself.
Michael Keaton and Jane Lynch provide the key supporting parts as Ryden's parents; while Carol Burnett makes a long-overdue return to the big screen as the senile, near-death grandmother who uses every opportune time to say something completely off the wall and inappropriate. To a degree, she single-handedly saves the film from being a total loss.
In the end, the story proved to be the major Achilles' heel. I won't lie, the premise was strong. In fact, it had me anticipating the end to a long drought for the quickly sinking Fox Atomic studio; however, there was just no execution. I will admit that Biedel can't act, and she did exceptionally well showcasing that here, but for some reason, it worked. However, for teenage girls dreaming of college and those who are dreaming of their first job, the film will have a few spots that hit home. Sadly, the predictability and far reaching attempts to make the film a love story handicap it from becoming anything more. My C- rating is a generous offer, especially given the final scene "“ seeing as though my RA never treated me so kindly during my stay at UT.
