The Art of Getting By

Michael Angarano is one of the young cast members in The Art of Getting By, formerly known as Homework, which is out today. The film, a debut from writer and director Gavin Wiesen, is a coming-of-age story that features a love triangle. Angarano's Dustin, a twenty-something artist living in a Brooklyn loft, finds himself caught between Freddie Highmore's George and Emma Roberts's Sally, who are both about to graduate high school. We were able to chat with Angarano earlier this week about having a role in the film that was shot in his hometown of NYC, his own experiences as a teenager, and what blockbusters he's pumped to see this year. He even revealed that he got caught in a bar fight while shooting! He said:

• On what he was like in high school: "I was more of an athlete, I played soccer and I ran track, you know I did things like that. And so were my friends. But I was always working at the same time so I had the way of expressing myself. I felt like if I went to high school as a kid who wasn’t an actor I feel like it would have been completely different. I probably would have discovered in high school theater and film."
• About having his first teenage love: "I feel like we all have it at about the same age, and if we don’t, we will. It’s that moment where you realize that living for yourself is not what life’s all about. It’s where you have this moment, and it’s a moment, that changes you. Because you realize that you love this person and you will live for them, or that you’ll at least die for them. It’s kind of that love that makes you realize that life isn’t all about what’s going on in your head, it’s about what’s going on around you, between these people. So it changes everything, it changes how you think and how you act and what you do things for, what motivates you."
• On enjoying shenanigans while shooting in NYC: "I did! There were a lot of shenanigans for me. I only worked eight out of the 22 or 25 days. I got punched in the face while filming. I was at a bar and I got punched. It was bad because we had to film that Monday, and it was a Friday. There’s a scene in the movie where I have a nice black eye that’s covered up in makeup. . . I was trying to stop a fight. And I got punched. I was at this bar downtown, I don’t even know where, all I know is there were these gold skulls lining the walls. And it seemed like some form of hell."

To read what big films Michael is looking forward to seeing this Summer and what his plans are, as well as how it was coming home to NYC, just read more

You've definitely seen a movie like The Art of Getting By before. It's the coming-of-age story of a young man trying to figure out what he wants to do with his life, and falling for his dream girl in the process. Though the Manhattan-set dramedy doesn't break new territory, it's still a heartwarming, clever film with a pair of appealing leads in Emma Roberts and Freddie Highmore.

Highmore plays George, a high school senior whose penchant for avoiding his assignments has earned him something of a reputation — and the risk of not graduating. The only things that can keep his attention are his art (well, his very concentrated efforts at doodling) and a girl named Sally (Roberts). Sally is the prototypical high school princess who beguiles George from the moment they start hanging out. Sally is intrigued by George and his talent for slacking, and they become friends, though it's obvious that George has more-than-friendly feelings for her. Even though the course of their relationship is as predictable as that of a Hollywood romantic comedy, watching George and Sally go from friends to something more is a pleasure. To find out what else I thought of The Art of Getting By, just read more

Homework, the coming of age film that made a splash at the Sundance Film Festival in January, was recently renamed The Art of Getting By, and with its new title in place and a new trailer, it's ready it for its closeup. Set in NYC, the movie stars Freddie Highmore as precocious high school student George, who has slacked his way into his senior year, much to the chagrin of his teachers and advisors. He doesn't find much to get excited about besides art until he meets classmate Sally (Emma Roberts).

They become fast friends, showing each other their respective worlds, though it's obvious George is crushing on Sally from the moment he meets her. And as we do for every boy in a coming of age drama, we're left wondering if and how George will get the courage to act on his feelings. I'm a sucker for cute indie pieces like this, especially when you factor in the upbeat music in the preview (Peter Bjorn and John!). Michael Angarano, Elizabeth Reaser, and Alicia Silverstone round out the cast of the film, which is set for a June 17 release. To watch the trailer, just read more

Freddie Highmore, the British actor who made a name for himself as the adorable Peter in Finding Neverland, is all grown-up now, and his latest film proves that he hasn't lost any of the raw talent that brought us to tears when he was just a boy. Homework, a teen dramedy of sorts, has already been acquired from Sundance by Fox Searchlight, so here's more on the film that will eventually be coming to a theater near you.

• Who's behind it? In addition to Freddie Highmore and Emma Roberts, director Gavin Wiesen had plenty of stars to fill his supporting cast, including Rita Wilson, Alicia Silverstone, Blair Underwood, Elizabeth Reaser, and Michael Angarano.
• What's it about? Highmore plays George, a teenage loner in New York City who refuses to do his homework assignments despite his obviously sharp mind. Consumed with the idea that all people are going to die eventually anyway, George can't find a reason to commit himself to schoolwork and instead chooses to spend class time nurturing his budding artistic skills. When he meets Sally (Emma Roberts), George finds his first true friend, and his world changes as he begins to experience emotions that he never knew he had — but his graduation from high school hangs in jeopardy.

To see why the film shines, just read more