The Spectacular Now
Updated: 12/20/2025, 1:38:51 PM Wikipedia source
The Spectacular Now is a 2013 American coming-of-age romantic drama film directed by James Ponsoldt, from a screenplay written by Scott Neustadter and Michael H. Weber, based on the 2008 novel of the same name by Tim Tharp. It stars Miles Teller and Shailene Woodley as high-schoolers Sutter and Aimee, whose unexpected encounter leads to a romance blossoming between the two. Brie Larson, Mary Elizabeth Winstead, Bob Odenkirk, Jennifer Jason Leigh, and Kyle Chandler are featured in supporting roles. The Spectacular Now premiered at the 2013 Sundance Film Festival, and was theatrically released in the United States on August 2, 2013 where the film garnered critical acclaim, and grossed over $6 million worldwide. It received two nominations at the 29th Independent Spirit Awards: Best Female Lead (for Woodley) and Best Screenplay.
Infobox
Directed by
James Ponsoldt
Screenplay by
mw- Scott Neustadter Michael H. Weber
Based on
The Spectacular Nowby Tim Tharp
Produced by
Tom McNulty Shawn Levy Michelle Krumm Andrew Lauren
Starring
Miles Teller Shailene Woodley Brie Larson Mary Elizabeth Winstead Bob Odenkirk Jennifer Jason Leigh Kyle Chandler
Cinematography
Jess Hall
Edited by
Darrin Navarro
Music by
Rob Simonsen
Productioncompanies
21 Laps Entertainment Andrew Lauren Productions Global Produce
Distributed by
A24
Release dates
January 18, 2013 (2013-01-18) (Sundance) August 2, 2013 (2013-08-02) (United States)
Running time
95 minutes
Country
United States
Language
English
Budget
$2.5 million
Box office
$6 million
Tables
List of awards and nominations · Reception › Accolades
Alliance of Women Film Journalists
Alliance of Women Film Journalists
Award
Alliance of Women Film Journalists
Date of ceremony
December 16, 2013
Category
Best Adapted Screenplay
Recipients
Scott Neustadter and Michael H. Weber
Result
Nominated
Best Breakthrough Performance
Best Breakthrough Performance
Award
Best Breakthrough Performance
Date of ceremony
Shailene Woodley
Category
Nominated
Best Depiction of Nudity, Sexuality or Seduction Award
Best Depiction of Nudity, Sexuality or Seduction Award
Award
Best Depiction of Nudity, Sexuality or Seduction Award
Date of ceremony
Shailene Woodley and Miles Teller
Category
Nominated
Gotham Awards
Gotham Awards
Award
Gotham Awards
Date of ceremony
December 2, 2013
Category
Best Actress
Recipients
Shailene Woodley
Result
Nominated
Independent Spirit Awards
Independent Spirit Awards
Award
Independent Spirit Awards
Date of ceremony
March 1, 2014
Category
Best Screenplay
Recipients
Scott Neustadter and Michael H. Weber
Result
Nominated
Best Female Lead
Best Female Lead
Award
Best Female Lead
Date of ceremony
Shailene Woodley
Category
Nominated
National Board of Review
National Board of Review
Award
National Board of Review
Date of ceremony
December 4, 2013
Category
Top Ten Independent Films
Recipients
The Spectacular Now
Result
Won
San Diego Film Critics Society
San Diego Film Critics Society
Award
San Diego Film Critics Society
Date of ceremony
December 11, 2013
Category
Best Supporting Actress
Recipients
Shailene Woodley
Result
Won
San Francisco Film Critics Circle
San Francisco Film Critics Circle
Award
San Francisco Film Critics Circle
Date of ceremony
December 15, 2013
Category
Best Adapted Screenplay
Recipients
Scott Neustadter and Michael H. Weber
Result
Nominated
Seattle International Film Festival
Seattle International Film Festival
Award
Seattle International Film Festival
Date of ceremony
June 9, 2013
Category
Youth Jury Award for Best FutureWave Feature
Recipients
The Spectacular Now
Result
Won
St. Louis Film Critics Association
St. Louis Film Critics Association
Award
St. Louis Film Critics Association
Date of ceremony
December 16, 2013
Category
Best Adapted Screenplay
Recipients
Scott Neustadter and Michael H. Weber
Result
Nominated
Sundance Film Festival
Sundance Film Festival
Award
Sundance Film Festival
Date of ceremony
January 26, 2013
Category
Special Jury Award for Acting
Recipients
Miles Teller and Shailene Woodley
Result
Won
Grand Jury Prize: U.S. Dramatic
Grand Jury Prize: U.S. Dramatic
Award
Grand Jury Prize: U.S. Dramatic
Date of ceremony
James Ponsoldt
Category
Nominated
Washington D.C. Area Film Critics Association
Washington D.C. Area Film Critics Association
Award
Washington D.C. Area Film Critics Association
Date of ceremony
December 9, 2013
Category
Best Adapted Screenplay
Recipients
Scott Neustadter and Michael H. Weber
Result
Nominated
| Award | Date of ceremony | Category | Recipients | Result |
| Alliance of Women Film Journalists | December 16, 2013 | Best Adapted Screenplay | Scott Neustadter and Michael H. Weber | Nominated |
| Best Breakthrough Performance | Shailene Woodley | Nominated | ||
| Best Depiction of Nudity, Sexuality or Seduction Award | Shailene Woodley and Miles Teller | Nominated | ||
| Gotham Awards | December 2, 2013 | Best Actress | Shailene Woodley | Nominated |
| Independent Spirit Awards | March 1, 2014 | Best Screenplay | Scott Neustadter and Michael H. Weber | Nominated |
| Best Female Lead | Shailene Woodley | Nominated | ||
| National Board of Review | December 4, 2013 | Top Ten Independent Films | The Spectacular Now | Won |
| San Diego Film Critics Society | December 11, 2013 | Best Supporting Actress | Shailene Woodley | Won |
| San Francisco Film Critics Circle | December 15, 2013 | Best Adapted Screenplay | Scott Neustadter and Michael H. Weber | Nominated |
| Seattle International Film Festival | June 9, 2013 | Youth Jury Award for Best FutureWave Feature | The Spectacular Now | Won |
| St. Louis Film Critics Association | December 16, 2013 | Best Adapted Screenplay | Scott Neustadter and Michael H. Weber | Nominated |
| Sundance Film Festival | January 26, 2013 | Special Jury Award for Acting | Miles Teller and Shailene Woodley | Won |
| Grand Jury Prize: U.S. Dramatic | James Ponsoldt | Nominated | ||
| Washington D.C. Area Film Critics Association | December 9, 2013 | Best Adapted Screenplay | Scott Neustadter and Michael H. Weber | Nominated |
References
- Deadline Hollywoodhttps://deadline.com/2013/01/sundance-a24-buys-the-spectacular-now-408938/
- "View Title"https://web.archive.org/web/20170708182611/http://www.classification.gov.au/Pages/View.aspx?sid=4uDiZnGZWyc3tHYO0%252fKg0g%253d%253d&ncdctx=HYxIXiO2OpOiWBigI6EOf61HGEfjNP11megvqN9w1EYW1issSuqNexOs5SljjnE8scURO7bmfpScHgp1PojiNw%253d%253d
- Boxoffice Mojohttps://www.boxofficemojo.com/release/rl3245377025/?ref_=bo_tt_gr_1
- Varietyhttps://variety.com/2009/film/markets-festivals/marc-webb-to-direct-spectacular-1117998891/
- Colliderhttps://collider.com/james-ponsoldt-interview-the-spectacular-now/
- Athens Banner-Heraldhttp://onlineathens.com/local-news/2012-06-27/new-film-preps-shoot-athens
- Creative Loafinghttps://creativeloafing.com/content-216714-catching-up-with-georgia-filmmaker-james-ponsoldt-whose-latest
- The Spectacular Nowhttps://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/the_spectacular_now/
- The Spectacular Nowhttps://www.metacritic.com/movie/the-spectacular-now
- RogerEbert.comhttps://www.rogerebert.com/reviews/the-spectacular-now-2013
- blog.richardroeper.comhttp://blog.richardroeper.com/?p=5364
- The Hollywood Reporterhttps://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movie/spectacular/review/413988
- Slatehttps://slate.com/culture/2013/08/the-spectacular-now-directed-by-james-ponsoldt-reviewed.html
- Entertainment Weeklyhttps://ew.com/article/2013/01/25/sundance-the-spectacular-now-and-a-c-o-d/
- Varietyhttps://variety.com/2013/film/reviews/the-spectacular-now-1117949017/
- Cinema Blendhttps://www.cinemablend.com/new/Spectacular-Now-Rare-Sundance-Coming-Age-Story-Feels-Like-It-Matters-35211.html
- Spinhttp://www.spin.com/blogs/spectacular-now-next-great-teen-movie-premieres-sundance
- "2013 Sundance Film Festival Announces Feature Film Awards"https://web.archive.org/web/20130130082812/http://www.sundance.org/festival/release/2013-sundance-film-festival-announces-feature-film-awards/
- "2013 EDA Award Nominees"https://awfj.org/eda-awards/2013-eda-award-nominees/
- The Wraphttps://www.thewrap.com/12-years-slave-leads-gotham-awards-nominations/
- The Hollywood Reporterhttps://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/independent-spirit-award-nominations-announced-659950
- The National Board of Reviewhttps://www.nationalboardofreview.org/2013/12/national-board-review-announces-2013-award-winners/
- U-T San Diegohttp://www.utsandiego.com/news/2013/dec/11/san-diego-film-critics-best-movies-2013/
- Awards Dailyhttps://www.awardsdaily.com/blog/san-francisco-film-critics-nominations/
- "SIFF ANNOUNCES 2013 COMPETITION & GOLDEN SPACE NEEDLE AUDIENCE AWARDS"https://web.archive.org/web/20140317234014/http://www.siff.net/press/siff-press-releases/2013-awards-announcement
- Belleville News-Democrathttps://web.archive.org/web/20131213143729/http://www.bnd.com/2013/12/09/2950954/st-louis-film-critics-choose-their.html
- HitFixhttps://web.archive.org/web/20140309143202/http://www.hitfix.com/in-contention/12-years-a-slave-and-her-lead-the-way-with-washington-dc-critics-nominations