Normally movies about mean spirited people doing selfish and despicable things are a total turn-off for me and I seldom enjoy them, but Young Adult is a complete exception. This movie is hysterical. Charlize Theron is phenomenal as Mavis Gary a beautiful blonde ex-prom queen who was a cheerleader in high school and dated the handsome football star Buddy Slade (Patrick Wilson). She was the only one in her class that made it out of Mercury, Minnesota and living in the “Mini-apple” of Minneapolis, her classmates who were left behind imagine her life as glamorous. But in reality Mavis is divorced, alcoholic and ghost writing the last book of a declining Young Adult series. Her life is a mess and she has become fixated with her ex-boyfriend and the new baby that he and his wife (Elizabeth Reaser) just had. Mavis wants a do-over and she is determined to get Buddy back. Never mind that he is married and happy. Mavis is clearly delusional.
Young Adult is about a woman who is living in the past and stuck in perpetual adolescence. We never see a flashback or have any insight into her youth other than what people say about her and their reaction when they meet her. Let’s just say that Mavis is controversial. When she arrives in town, the comments are varied. Mavis was envied, admired, but also disliked. Not everyone is happy to see her.
Mercury has grown since Mavis has gone away and her friends have grown up too. Repulsed by all the new chain motels, fast food restaurants and box stores, Mavis heads to a local dive where she runs into her old locker mate. In completely different social circles then they now find that they have a common bond, Bourbon and living in the past. With her new confidant Matt (Patton Oswalt) and a devious plan, Mavis heads out to break up a marriage and steal her old beau away.
The beauty about Young Adult is that the joke is on Mavis. It is like watching a child swat at the knees of a very tall man. None of her barbs or caustic remarks have any sting because the people she lashes out at don’t care. I love the writing in this film and the way the characters are presented. Diablo Cody has written another excellent script and director Jason Reitman has given it the right shade and tone. It seems like the perfect weapon for the mean girls of high school is contentment and personal satisfaction. If you like who you are the barbs will only sting for a moment. I really enjoyed this film.
Rating: First Run Never peak in high school
About Me
- Melanie Wilson
- My Reviewer's Philosophy: I believe that every film has its audience. One man’s Citizen Kane is another man’s Texas Chain Saw Massacre. My purpose is to help you spend your entertainment dollars wisely. A bad review never kept me from going to a film I wanted to see, but a good review will sometimes get me to a film I never considered. As a movie lover I want you to go to the movies. When more people go to the movies, the more movies get made. But, I also believe that if you enjoy the films you see, you naturally will be inclined to go more often. So join me in supporting our film industry by going to a movie today. Hopefully I can steer you towards a good one. See you at the movies. Melanie Wilson
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