The Spectacular Now

Handing early starring roles to both Miles Teller (Whiplash) and Shailene Woodley (Divergent), this heady, dark relationship drama scored great reviews in its American homeland but was denied a cinema release in Britain. What audiences missed was one of the best young adult films in years, with Teller as the hard-partying Mr Personality of high school and Woodley, the wallflower he suddenly takes an interest in. What she doesn't know (but we do) is that he's chiefly interested in her as a way of making his ex (Captain Marvel's Brie Larson) jealous. John Hughes's angsty 1980s movies are clearly a reference, though the plot is a twist on A Star Is Born - he's a teenage alcoholic on the skids, and she's a bright button who will surely realise she deserves better. One descent into an ill-advised backstory is the only real mark against it but even this is more than redeemed by performances from Teller and the even better Woodley, so fresh they feel improvised. A spectacular wow.