In Poetic License, Maude Apatow’s directorial debut, which graced the Toronto International Film Festival this past weekend, Cooper Hoffman emerges as a marvel akin to a Gen-Z Vince Vaughn. Picture this: an idiosyncratic college senior blessed with family wealth, Hoffman’s character, Ari, mulls over the idea of establishing a LinkedIn account. His buttoned-up best friend, Sam (played by Andrew Barth Feldman), shoots back with a simple query: “What would you even write on it?” In a delightful dance of emotions, Hoffman’s face flickers from curious to disoriented to amused before he whimsically decides against it: “Never mind.” In a cinematic landscape filled with punchlines, Hoffman deftly delivers intense character work that’s as rare as a vintage film reel.
Poetic License is a story pulsing with transition. Stemming from the Apatow lineage of exploring pivotal moments in life, this film-crafted by emerging screenwriter Raffi Donatich-captures the essence of youthful uncertainty. Ari grapples with aimlessness and a bold resolution to ditch his antidepressants, while Sam wrestles with the looming dread of a mundane future at Morgan Stanley. The duo finds inspiration in Liz (played by Leslie Mann), a charming poetry class auditor navigating her own family upheaval. Meanwhile, their professor Greta (Martha Kelly) is embroiled in a messy divorce. The ensemble shines brightly, but it’s Hoffman’s performance that steals the limelight.
The dialogue crackles with the kind of witty repartee that keeps viewers on their toes. At one moment, spotting Liz leaving the campus, Ari quips, “I love a woman who can drive.” When Sam retorts that it’s not exactly an archetype, Ari snaps back, “It is if you’re from New York.” Here lies the magic: Hoffman infuses Ari with an innocent, slippery charisma, a blend of sophistication and vulnerability, making viewers simultaneously laugh and swoon.
As the film unfolds, Ari shares his hesitation about dropping his meds, claiming they dull his “sparkle.” One might wonder how anything could possibly dim such brilliance. Yet, Hoffman’s sheer talent ensures that even this ludicrous sentiment resonates. So sit back, darlings, and watch as Poetic License unfolds-a delightful cocktail of youth, emotional turbulence, and an unforgettable performance that proves we’re just getting a taste of Hoffman’s star potential.
Original Story https://www.vulture.com/article/poetic-license-you-cant-look-away-from-cooper-hoffman.html
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