Admission

Admission, a 2013 American romantic comedy-drama film, is directed by Paul Weitz, known for his work on movies like 'About a Boy' and 'American Pie'. The film stars esteemed actors Tina Fey and Paul Rudd in the lead roles, along with rising star Nat Wolff. Nick Hornby has crafted this screenplay based on a novel by Jean Hanff Korelitz.

In Admission, Tina Fey plays the role of an upstanding single woman named Portia Nathan who is employed as a college admissions officer for Princeton University. She is a very dedicated, reserved, and passionate professional who fully commits herself to the vast and often stressful demands of her job. Portia's everyday routine revolves around screening and assessing thousands of student applications to determine who qualifies to enter the prestigious institution. Hence, the title of the film, 'Admission' is thus a clever play on the focus of the story and the concept of giving individuals 'admission' into our own personal lives.

Also starring in the film is Paul Rudd as John Pressman, a co-founder and teacher at an experimental high school in New Hampshire. He is a charismatic, laid-back, and adventurous character who is Daniel's contrast in multiple ways. The storyline unfolds when John contacts Portia with some unexpected news - he believes that one of his bright and talented but unconventional students, Jeremiah, played by Nat Wolff, might be the son that Portia secretly gave up for adoption many years ago.

This revelation comes as a surprise to Portia, shaking her to her core and disrupting her neatly organized life. Jeremiah is indeed a unique and gifted student, but his unconventional learning style and less-than-stellar academic record make him an unlikely fit for a place like Princeton. Portia finds herself caught in a moral debate over whether or not to bend the admission rules in Jeremiah's favour.

As the movie progresses, audiences see Portia embarking on a journey filled with complex emotional confusion, humorous encounters, and self-discovery. As she gets to know Jeremiah better and grows closer to John, we witness her rigid mindset slowly unravel, making way for changes that she never anticipated.

Throughout the movie, a subtle romantic spark builds between Portia and John. This evolves organically from their shared concern for Jeremiah and translates into a larger mutual understanding and fascination with each other. The understated chemistry between Fey and Rudd highlights their strengths as actors and they shine in the softer, more serious moments just as much as they do in the more comedic ones.

The narrative of Admission is interspersed with dashes of humor and wit, owing a lot to Fey’s sharp comedic skills. Fey's character depicts the charm of an ambitious woman, and her struggles in coping with her personal revelations add depth to the film. Similarly, Paul Rudd brings a warmth and charm to his character of John Pressman which makes him immediately likable.

At its core, Admission is a touching drama that explores themes of personal growth, motherhood, identity, ambition, and the pressures of the college admission process. It highlights the importance of second chances and the freedom to break away from defined structures in life and in the conventional education system. Not to mention the rollercoaster of emotions that come with acceptance – not just from institutions, but also self-acceptance and the acceptance of others.

The movie beautifully encapsulates the essence of a modern-day moral and personal dilemma. One of its primary merits lies in the strong performances by Fey, Rudd, and Wolff, which elevate the film from a simple romantic comedy to something that holds deeper emotion and social relevance.

For fans of realistic cinema with a balance of comedy, drama, and romance, Admission, is indeed, an interesting watch. It's an intimate exploration of human relationships and self-discovery, laced with wit and humour, carried out brilliantly by a talented cast. The movie gives audiences a compelling and emotionally engaging story, combined with thought-provoking themes that'll leave a lasting impression. A warm, witty, and poignant film, Admission is an appealing mix of humor and heart-touching moments that hit all the right emotional notes.