12. The Spectacular Now

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XDTBLSkUmYk&w=584&h=390]

James Ponsoldt’s second feature is the best movie John Hughes never made, a drama about teenage alcoholism that’s stunningly assured and wise beyond its years. This is a coming-of-age story that will resonate with all of us, about the pains of growing up when you don’t know what that means. Miles Teller and Shailene Woodley bring that drama to radiant life in the performances that deserve to make them both stars. If this is young Hollywood, the kids may be all right after all.