Youth In Revolt

Every Era has a film that speaks to its youth. A film that strikes a chord with the teenagers of America. As much as they wish, adults may not pick this film for their children, it is something that they chose for themselves. Something that speaks to them and something that they can identify with. Will Youth In Revolt be that film for this generation? I don’t know. What I do know is that all the classic elements of a teen rebellion film are here; first love, teen angst, alienation, conflict with parents, sex, nudity and crude humor. Just enough wantonness to cause parents some concern, but enough good-natured humor to remind adults that they were young once, too.

Youth In Revolt is based on a popular series of books written by C.D. Payne, that were first published in 1993. Written as journal entries, Youth In Revolt follows the adventures of Nick Twisp, who must learn how to be bad in order to hang on to the love of his life and reunite himself with her. Michael Cera plays Nick Twisp as well as his bad alter-ego Francois. The object of his affection, Sheeni, is played by Portia Doubleday.

The cast is full of veteran character actors such as Jean Smart, Steve Buscemi, Fred Willard, Ray Liotta, M. Emmet Walsh, Mary Kay Place, as well as new entries into this field, Justin Long and Zach Galifianakis. Each character is slightly exaggerated as if seen through the prism of a teenage psyche. To further enhance this view, animation is also used to help us enter the mind of Nick Twisp. This is his vision and his adventure, we are just along for the ride.

This film is quirky and fresh and told in a very interesting way, but only time will tell if the youth will adopt it as their own. Will it be a Napoleon Dynamite, Dazed And Confused, Fast Times At Ridgemont High, or an American Graffiti? Will teenagers be quoting this film at school and in the malls. We’ll see. But just in case, be ready, “You must be bad, Nickie. Be very, very bad.”

Rating: First Run Some kids weren't born to be bad