Review of Easy A (2010) by Elek M — 07 Sep 2012

Teen movies have never been my can of Red Bull, even when I was a teen. When I first saw the trailer for Easy A, it didn't look like it was going to change my mind. When I saw the surprisingly glowing reviews, I thought it might. Well, it didn't. Here is my ten second synopsis of the film.

Olive pretends to sleep with her secretly gay friend to help his rep. The word gets out she's a slut and she decides to own it. This blows up in her face, she learns something about herself, aaaand scene. Time?

Here's the thing, its not that I'm too old for these movies. A good story can transcend age, gender, or taste. I am too old, however, for a mediocre story passing as a good one. This is not to say that Easy A is without value, there are many good moments and performances throughout. It is just simply not as good as its being made out to be. This is mostly due to a lukewarm script that is not as in touch with the teen plight as it thinks it is. It may have been funny, touching, and poignant on the page, but the movie that left the editing room feels like a rehash of (not a tribute to) earlier, better films.

As I said, there are good moments here that make Easy A at least worth a rental. Emma Stone does a great job with the material she has to work with. Her talent and abilities are in no way in question here. Personally, what I enjoyed the most were Olive's parents (played by Stanely Tucci and Patricia Clarkson). Thier hip, bohemian parenting style was both hilarious and in far too short supply. Unfortunately, more screen time went to Thomas Hayden Church and Lisa Kudrow who's roles and story arcs seemed extraneous at best.

Leaving the theater, my disappointment turned to confusion as I tried to figure out what all the positive reviews saw in this film. Weeks later, I could recall many of the reviews still, though I couldn't remember the movie that well. That's not a good sign. Although, I am in my thirties. My memory is not what it used to be.