Review of Young Adult (2011) by David H — 30 May 2012

This felt like a movie that would be more enjoyable for critics than a typical person. It doesn't avoid the Hollywood cliches, it gets drunk with them, wakes up hungover caught in their cloying embrace, then sneaks off quietly before dawn without either schmaltzy sentiment or self-awareness gained.

Theron's Mavis doesn't grow, her character has an arc like a sodden bottle rocket that only partially ignites. It's "Heathers" for hapless 30-somethings who peaked whilst torturing nerds in high school.

The characters are enthralling, in a those you can't help but hate way, and the story shines an unflattering spotlight on what must happen to some teen queens a decade or so down the line. But that's what makes the film's climax so unsatisfying, unless you have accepted the twisted world view which is blinding Mavis.

Which is why, ultimately, neither I nor the two high schoolers with whom I watched the film found the conclusion or the film worth 90 minutes required to watch it. One star for avoiding movie cliches, one for very good acting, and one for a mostly well-written story (I cut the last one in half given the opportunity).