Capsule reviews for Jan. 31

At Middleton

On one hand, this uneven romantic comedy tries to offer up a satire of snooty New England college life. On the other, it’s a tale of two middle-aged adults having an innocent fling. The latter concerns George (Andy Garcia), an uptight heart surgeon who meets the free-spirited Edith (Vera Farmiga) while on a campus tour with their respective children. They decide to separate themselves from the group and form an unlikely bond through various acts of mischief. Playful performances give their romance some weight amid a series of plot contrivances. However, the script is only sporadically amusing, and the result is more pretentious than profound. (Rated R, 99 minutes).

Tim’s Vermeer

A unique side to the artistic process is dissected in this documentary from magician duo Penn and Teller that’s both enlightening and amusing. It follows Tim Jenison, an amateur Texas inventor whose latest project spans several years and involves his attempt to use modern resources to re-create a famous 17th century painting by Dutch artist Johannes Vermeer. All of this might cause a frenzy among art historians, and for the rest of us, it benefits from the affable presence of Penn Jillette and Jenison, whose experiment creates a fascinating window to the past and offers an intriguing look at the relationship between art and technology. (Rated PG-13, 80 minutes).

12 O’Clock Boys

Although this documentary makes a concerted effort to avoid passing judgment, there are several provocative social issues beneath the surface of this gritty portrait of a daredevil motorcycle gang in inner-city Baltimore that likes to pop wheelies and flaunt authority. More specifically, the film spends three years following Pug, a precocious yet arrogant pre-teen boy from a rough upbringing who dreams of joining their ranks. Rookie director Lotfy Nathan seems to sympathize with Pug, but is more interested in chronicling his adventures than inspiring change. The result is evocative and compelling, even if it doesn’t offer much context or socioeconomic insight into its broader subject. (Not rated, 76 minutes).