Movie Review – Admission (2013)

Thanks to the folks from Shaw, Rachel and I caught the preview screening of Admission last week.

The main draw for both of us was the lead actress in the movie, Tina Fey. I am a fan of her  impressions of politician Sarah Palin while Rachel is a fan of her TV show, 30 Rock. We have both read her autobiography, Bossypants.

Admission is directed by Paul Weitz of American Pie and About a Boy fame, so you can expect the kind of growing up angst and heartwarming humour, signature in his movies.

Trailer:

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Synopsis:

Tina Fey (30 Rock) and Paul Rudd (This is 40) are paired for the first time on-screen in , the new comedy/drama directed by Academy Award nominee Paul Weitz (About a Boy, In Good Company), about the surprising detours we encounter on the road to happiness.

Every spring, high school seniors anxiously await letters of college admission that will affirm and encourage their potential. At Princeton University, admissions officer Portia Nathan (Tina Fey) is a gatekeeper evaluating thousands of applicants. Year in and year out, Portia has lived her life by the book, at work as well as at the home she shares with Princeton professor Mark (Michael Sheen). When Clarence (Wallace Shawn), the Dean of Admissions, announces his impending retirement, the likeliest candidates to succeed him are Portia and her office rival Corinne (Gloria Reuben). For Portia, however, it‟s business as usual as she hits the road on her annual recruiting trip.

On the road, Portia reconnects with her iconoclastic mother, Susannah (Lily Tomlin). On her visit to New Quest, an alternative high school, she then reconnects with her former college classmate, idealistic teacher John Pressman (Paul Rudd) – who has recently surmised that Jeremiah (Nat Wolff), a gifted yet very unconventional New Quest student, might well be the son that Portia secretly gave up for adoption years ago while at school. Jeremiah is about to apply to Princeton.

Now Portia must re-evaluate her personal and professional existences, as she finds herself bending the admissions rules for Jeremiah, putting at risk the future she thought she always wanted – and in the process finding her way to a surprising and exhilarating life and romance she never dreamed of having. surprising and exhilarating life and romance she never dreamed of having.

Rachel and I are now hunting for a pre-school for Asher as he reaches 18 months. While watching the movie, we can feel the pain and anguish Portia experiences as a parent who want nothing but the best for her son.

The movie is quite light-hearted and flows along smoothly even though there is no major dramatic up or down moments.

I think parents with kids, young or old, will definitely enjoy Admission. Rachel and I did. 🙂

Admission is now showing in Singapore cinemas.

Oh, if you are considering watching Admission or any other movie these few weeks, why not catch it at Shaw?

From 17 April to 7 May, everyone can enjoy $3 off a pair of regular movie tickets at Shaw Theatres Bugis, Balestier or Lot-One, simply by “checking-in” at the respective Shaw Theatres on Facebook and/or Foursquare* (please refer to Terms & Conditions).