Film review: Admission (12A)

Admission is a lightweight romantic comedy about a key member of staff in the admission office of one of America’s most prestigious universities, who bears the responsibility of making or shattering young dreams.

Portia Nathan (Tina Fey) is one of the most dedicated members of staff in the admissions office at Princeton University. When Clarence (Wallace Shawn) announces his retirement as Dean of Admissions, workaholic Portia is his natural successor. Clarence confirms that Portia and ambitious rival Corinne (Gloria Reuben) are the frontrunners and he will make a final decision once the current admissions process has been completed.

Portia throws herself into her work while dealing with the emotional fallout from losing her stuffy professor boyfriend, Mark (Michael Sheen), to a blonde member of faculty.

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With her head in a whirl, Portia embarks on her annual tour of high schools in her district and visits a bohemian place of learning run by former college classmate John Pressman (Paul Rudd). He believes that his most gifted and quixotic student, Jeremiah Balakian (Nat 
Wolff), deserves a place at Princeton.

Considering the calibre of on-screen talent, Admission should be a hoot, unfortunately it simply doesn’t make the grade.