Admission

Audience Reviews

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Hermione S Jan 22, 2019 I loved it. Laughed out loud at some unexpected quips.

Hermione W Nov 21, 2018 Folks be hating on this movie - but Tina delivers some funny moments. It's original and clean...probably why folks don't dig it.

Jun 18, 2018 I have a strange fixation with Tina Fey, so right off the bat, my rating may be tainted. However, I thought it was the best acting she had ever done, especially the final dramatic scene with her mom. I love Paul Rudd too, so this would have just had to be stupidly written to have been bad. And it wasn't. It was unique and precious. I'm not sure why there was so much hate toward it. See more

Finn G Jan 24, 2018 This movie is probably worth a quick watch. Tina Fey and Paul Rudd both do a reasonable job. Unfortunately, the story becomes more and more far-fetched as the plot unfolds and, by the end of the movie, you are left wondering why anyone would make such a contrived movie. See more

Kylo W Jan 11, 2018 I had never heard of this movie, I was just looking for something to watch on Netflix and I enjoyed it tremendously. Then I turned to the reviews to see what other people thought and I was genuinely shocked. Were they watching a different movie? Perhaps they were. I didn't know this was a comedy, I also didn't know that the reviews were overwhelmingly unfavourable, so I came to this movie with absolutely no preconceptions. I truly believe that the film's marketing team caused the damage by marketing this as a comedy. It's not. It's a drama with humorous moments. The story is totally original, not 'cookie cutter' as one other reviewer claims. It's also multi-layer, the characters each having their own personal battle. There are imaginative twists in the cinematography featuring some of the Princeton applicants. The ending is left slightly unresolved but that in itself is more satisfying than tying everything up in a big cheesy bow, there is, most of all, still hope. Another reviewer mentioned the complete waste of Michael Sheen's talents. On this point, I have to agree, but the blame for that lies firmly at Michael Sheen's door and nobody else's. Maybe he had school fees to pay... Tina Fey proves she can play more serious roles as well as comedy. Over all this was entertaining, well paced ( those who say it's boring must have fallen for the comedy label and were geared up to watch a different pace of movie, thus were doomed to disappointment), gently humorous, and original. In short, if you haven't seen it, watch it, but do so with an open mind. See more

Leia L Aug 16, 2017 SCOTT: (Dr. Scott Allison, Professor of Psychology, University of Richmond) Greg, I have to admit that I ve looked forward to reviewing Admission GREG: (Greg Smith, Founder of Agile Writers of Richmond, VA) That s quite an admission on your part, Scott. SCOTT: We meet Portia Nathan (Tina Fey), an admissions officer at Princeton University. Portia thinks she s in a good long-term relationship, but she s not. She thinks that a recruiting visit to the Quest School will be just an ordinary visit, but it s not. There she meets the head of the school, John Pressman (Paul Rudd), a former classmate of hers at Dartmouth College 17 years earlier. GREG: The Quest School is not exactly what you would expect of a preparatory school. The kids are learning to run a farm as part of their residence. Pressman introduces her to Jeremiah Balakian (Nat Wolff) who is a genius and Pressman thinks is perfect for Princeton. Problem is, his transcript doesn t reflect his abilities. But wait, there s more. Jeremiah may just be the long lost son that Portia gave up for adoption 17 years ago. SCOTT: Greg, is it my imagination or are Tina Fey movies on a steady decline? I m a big fan of hers and have enjoyed her previous work, particularly in Mean Girls. But Admission is another example of a disappointing product put out by Fey. It s not a particularly bad movie, but it s not good either. It s just there, going through the motions, devoid of any particularly surprising moments or laugh-out-loud moments. It s a shame because I truly believe that Tina Fey has massive talent. GREG: Maybe it s my imagination, but I think Tina Fey can do no wrong. She s always brilliant and can make me laugh to tears or want to reach out and hug her. Her films always have a point to make and this is one movie that I would think you d identify with since you re an educator at a major university. Portia has to pick the most qualified students. And to get into Princeton you have to have a backstory that beats the band. It s not enough to be smart and get great grades, but you have to have come from an underprivileged social class, participated in a ton of extra curriculars, and overcome some great obstacle. There s a scene that had me laughing out loud: Portia is pouring over applications and each student appears before her (in her imagination) and acts out their backstory. It s hilarious to see the cheerleading Eskimo girl who overcame a bear attack (or some such thing). The movie really calls out how competitive and superficial the admissions process has become. SCOTT: I think your secret crush on Tina Fey has revealed your bias, Greg. She is fun and appealing to watch, and you re right, she plays such a likeable character here. But therein lies another problem I had with Admission. Although Tina Fey has great talent, she always seems to play the same character in every movie, and it s the same character she played in 30 Rock. Fey invariably is cast as a quirky, insecure, loser-at-love who loveably navigates her way through social misunderstandings, awkward situations, and tumultuous relationships. We see this limited range with a number of actors and I don t mean to pick on Fey, because as I ve said, I m a big fan of hers. But if she s going to play the same character repeatedly, the screenwriting and directing has to excel. This movie doesn t flow particularly well and in fact has a made-for-TV-movie feel to it. GREG: I feel wounded. You re right, I have had a crush on Tina Fey since I saw her on the cover of a local Richmond magazine that praised her appointment to SNL s writing staff. She s a University of Virginia alum after all, Scott. She s the girl next door who is amazingly talented and hilarious. In my humble opinion, Tina Fey is what you d get if Dick Van Dyke married Mary Tyler Moore and had a daughter. Sigh Still I think you re being a bit hard on her and the production staff of Admission. Portia has to make some hard decisions here and puts her reputation on the line to get her potential son into Princeton. It s a very heroic move worthy of any movie. I got what I expected from Admission which is more than I can say from many movies we ve reviewed this year. It was a light, entertaining comedy with an enchanting cast and a nice little message to take home. I give Admission 3 out of 5 Reels. Tina Fey does as you say, she delivered the same character we ve seen in previous incarnations. Which is fine with me. She plays a smart, quirky and flawed, albeit strong woman. I give her 3 out of 5 Heroes. Movie: Heroes: SCOTT: Admission is a somewhat pleasant foray into the personal life of a college admissions officer who stumbles through lost love, new love, and cross-generational turmoil. The movie will not win any awards, but if you re a Tina Fey fanatic you will find this film satisfying. The hero story rises above the mediocrity of the movie. Portia does manage to grow, take chances, and rise to the occasion in a manner befitting a hero. So while I award the movie a mere 2 Reels out of 5, I will agree with Greg that Portia deserves 3 out of 5 Heroes. Movie: Heroes: See more

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