The Best and the Brightest (film)
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Michael Jaeger
Patricia Weiser
Robert Weiser
| The Best and the Brightest | |
|---|---|
 Film poster | |
| Directed by | Josh Shelov |
| Screenplay by | Josh Shelov Michael Jaeger |
| Produced by | Nicholas Simon Patricia Weiser Robert Weiser |
| Starring | Neil Patrick Harris Bonnie Somerville Christopher McDonald Amy Sedaris |
| Cinematography | John Inwood |
| Edited by | Peter Iannuccilli |
| Music by | Ted Masur |
Production company | High Treason Pictures |
Release date |
|
Running time | 93 minutes |
| Country | United States |
| Language | English |
The Best and the Brightest is a 2010 American independent comedy film directed by Josh Shelov (in his directorial debut) and co-written with Michael Jaeger. The film stars Neil Patrick Harris and Bonnie Somerville in lead roles, alongside Christopher McDonald and Amy Sedaris in supporting roles.
The film follows Jeff (Harris) and Sam (Somerville), a young couple who move to New York City and find themselves navigating the competitive world of elite private kindergartens.[1] Their five-year-old daughter, Beatrice (Amelia Talbot), becomes the focus of their efforts to secure a spot in an exclusive school.
The Best and the Brightest was released on October 15, 2010.
Jeff and Sam, a young couple from Delaware, move to New York City with their five-year-old daughter Beatrice in hopes of getting her into an elite private school. Sam quickly learns that all the schools are full for the current session and their chances are slim. Desperate, she turns to Sue Lemon, an unconventional consultant known for helping families secure admissions. Though initially reluctant, Sue agrees to help after witnessing Sam's unwavering determination.
Sue advises Jeff, a software programmer, to claim he is a poet to make their application more appealing. Jeff is hesitant, but Sam persuades him to go along with the plan. On the day of their first interview, they leave Beatrice with Jeff's old friend Clark, who accidentally shares a transcript of an explicit conversation with Jeff. During their meeting with school director Katharine Heilmann, she mistakes Clark's transcript for a poem Jeff wrote, which impresses her. However, an unfortunate incident with Clark ruins their chances, and the application is rejected.
Undeterred, Sam and Sue devise a plan to win over The Player, the wealthy chairman of the school's board, and his influential wife. What follows is a series of comedic misadventures as Jeff and Sam navigate elaborate lies and increasingly absurd situations to impress The Player and Katharine. In the end, Sam faces a difficult decision: continue pretending to be someone she's not to stay in New York or return to Delaware and live authentically.[2]
Cast
- Neil Patrick Harris as Jeff
- Bonnie Somerville as Sam
- Amelia Talbot as Beatrice
- Amy Sedaris as Sue Lemon
- Jenna Stern as Katharine Heilmann
- Peter Serafinowicz as Clark
- Christopher McDonald as The Player
- Kate Mulgrew as The Player's Wife
- Bridget Regan as Robin, Jeff's college crush
Production
The film's casting was handled by Jessica Kelly and Suzanne Smith (credited as Suzanne Smith Crowley).
Several key scenes of the film were shot at the historic Bryn Mawr College in Bryn Mawr, Pennsylvania.