Movie Review: Post Grad

As I read the “Gusto” life and arts section in Friday’s (8/21) Buffalo News, I became intrigued by the review of a film opening that day. Post Grad, starring "Gilmore Girls" Alexis Bledel, reminded me so much of my own story:

Twenty-two year old Ryden Malby (played by Bledel) graduates from college with high aspirations: The big career (in her case at a prestigious Los Angeles publishing firm), the downtown penthouse suite… Instead what Malby soon finds is herself living at home with her quirky family, not a job offer in sight.

Other themes emerge (SPOILER WARNING) such as after Malby lands the dream job, and realizes long hours and “guinea pig” tasks aren’t all they’re cracked up to be. And of course, what’s a movie without romance? Her best friend Adam, and the feelings the two discover for each other, further throw a wrench into Malby’s future plans. As a quick aside: Adam, played by Zach Gilford, is the quintessential Hollywood metrosexual: well dressed, slightly effeminiate, and he plays guitar. Reminds me of the stereotypical Liberty male that I attended college with.

The love story is where, in my opinion, Post Grad goes wrong. The film becomes to generic. Take a scenario—any scenario—and you can make a love story emerge from it. It’s the typical boy meets girl, they fight, strife enters the relationship, they say their “I’m sorrys,” and everyone is friends by the credit roll.

The quirky Malby family is comprised of a slightly deranged child named Hunter; the moribund grandmother, played by Carol Burnett; and the lackluster parental duo. While definitely a strange bunch, they fail to produce any funny moments; it’s as if they’re just normal enough to not be funny. And the teen drama—bleh—it made me want to throw up. Only problem, the main characters aren’t teens—they’re supposed to be in their early twenties. The review did dub this a “chick flick” so I was semi-prepared going in, but still, I’ve had enough teen drama.

All in all, I think Post Grad was a waste of a Friday night and seven bucks. The love story themes are overused by Hollywood. The story of a college graduate struggling in today’s economy has some real potential, but I think this film only used that plot as a foundation upon which to build another bubble-gum sappy love tale on.

Post Grad official site