Review of Young Adult (2011) by Jessica T — 24 May 2012

Diablo Cody creates a female antihero in Mavis Gary, a 37-year-old ex-prom queen, now author of a young adult series, who returns home to reclaim her former love. Once envied and popular, still gorgeous, confident, but self-absorbed and cynical, Mavis is stunted in a certain period of her life.

Much can be gleaned about the character through her observations and judgements. Charlize Theron adds depth and dimension to the mean girl archetype. Through her nuanced and naturalistic performance, Mavis becomes uncomfortably relatable - underneath the manicures and hair extensions is a lonely girl trying to hide how unhappy and broken she feels.

We all at some point feel an emptiness that can't be filled or wonder if we have reached the pinnacle of our success and happiness. In holding a mirror up to our flaws, the film reveals facets of our nature that can be irrational, selfish, and vindictive.

Brilliantly directed by Jason Reitman, "Young Adult" is darkly comic, but also cutting and painful.