Admission (2013)

A Princeton admissions officer who is up for a major promotion takes a professional risk after she meets a college-bound alternative school kid who just might be the son she gave up years ago in a secret adoption.

Director:

Paul Weitz

Writers:

Karen Croner (screenplay), Jean Hanff Korelitz (novel)

Stars:

Tina Fey, Paul Rudd, Nat Wolff

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Tina Fey	...	Portia Nathan
Ann Harada	...	Mrs. Lafont
Ben Levin	...	Junior Lafont
Dan Levy	...	James (as Daniel Joseph Levy)
Maggie Keenan-Bolger	...	Girl on Tour
Gloria Reuben	...	Corinne
Paul Rudd	...	John Pressman
Wallace Shawn	...	Clarence
Elaine Kussack	...	Abby
Christopher Evan Welch	...	Brandt
Michael Genadry	...	Ben
Juliet Brett	...	Praying Applicant
John Brodsky	...	Smug Kid
Camille Branton	...	Gymnast
Sarita Choudhury	...	Rachael

Storyline

Straitlaced Princeton University admissions officer Portia Nathan (Tina Fey) is caught off-guard when she makes a recruiting visit to an alternative high school overseen by her former college classmate, the freewheeling John Pressman (Paul Rudd). Pressman has surmised that Jeremiah (Nat Wolff), his gifted yet very unconventional student, might well be the son that Portia secretly gave up for adoption many years ago. Soon, Portia finds herself bending the rules for Jeremiah, putting at risk the life she thought she always wanted -- but in the process finding her way to a surprising and exhilarating life and romance she never dreamed of having.

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Plot Keywords:

Adoption | Princeton University | Mother Son Relationship | Cheating Boyfriend | Mentor | 

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Taglines:

Get admitted.

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Genres:

Comedy | Drama | Romance

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated PG-13 for language and some sexual material

Details

Official Sites:

Official Facebook Official site

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

22 March 2013 (USA)

Also Known As:

Aprovado

Filming Locations:

Value Drugs, Bronxville, New York

Box Office

Budget:

$13,000,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend:

$6,154,984 (USA) (22 March 2013)

Gross:

$12,929,153 (USA) (3 April 2013)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Depth of Field

Technical Specs

Runtime:

107 min

Sound Mix:

Datasat Dolby Digital

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Did You Know?

Goofs

In a scene at an admissions computer, the operating system is clearly viewable as "Windows 7 Home Premium." This software is illegal for business use, and lacks several features that an office would use. It is unlikely that Princeton University would be using illegally licensed software. In the same scene, it shows that the university keeps its admissions records in an Excel spreadsheet.

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Soundtracks

"We Are Young"
Performed by Vassy

User Reviews

Likable actors attempt to overcome the lack of jokes

"Admission" was billed as a comedy, too bad it's not. Even when we're introduced to Portia (Tina Fey), I still couldn't figure out what type of comedy they were going for. There just doesn't seem to be any inherent comedy in the university admission process. But when Portia accidentally kisses high school director John (Paul Rudd), it finally becomes clear that this is in fact a romantic comedy, a dramatic romantic comedy.

The actors were definitely in their element. Tina Fey's Portia was the professionally-minded business woman who only kind of wanted it all. She wanted a promotion at work and to read poetry in bed with her British boyfriend Mark (Michael Sheen). I know what you're thinking, the perfect 30 Rock reunion. But, no. Mark is not Wesley Snipes, and their relationship isn't hilariously bad, just sad. But then Paul Rudd enters the picture incorporating the best of a country bumpkin and a privileged rich kid. He was irresistibly charming with that dimpled smile and those sparkling green eyes.

There is a plot. John introduces Portia to her son whom she put up for adoption and who now wants to attend Princeton. Portia has to figure out if she's ready to be a mother and if Jeremiah (Nat Wolff) should be accepted into Princeton. It's not a bad story, just not a particularly funny one. The characters are all good characters so they hold our interest despite the lack of substance to the movie.

The laughs are hard to come by, but if you're thinking in terms of a dramatic romantic comedy, then that shouldn't be too surprising. The lack of laughs is a detriment to the comedy this supposedly is. But as I said, the characters and actors are good. And if you really connect to Portia's predicament, then we have a nice little mid-life crisis turned coming-of-age flick. But that's going to be a small audience. The actors luckily have fans, and deservedly so, they have arguably never been better on the big screen. Depending on your love for Rudd and Fey, "Admission" is probably best left on the wait list.