Review of Young Adult (2011) by Durell B — 21 Apr 2014

Jason Reitman, son of legendary comedy director Ivan Reitman (Ghostbusters) has undoubtedly cemented his work in Hollywood. Not only has J. Reitman made a name seperate from his father, it could be argued he has far exceeded his famous dad in style and subtle brilliance.

Thank You For Smoking starring Aaron Eckhart was a smart, well acted comedy drama that ventured into the world of corporate greed and the big business associates assigned to get you addicted to smoking.

It's the type of movie you should not like due its clear message of gaining support to manipulate people into smoking. But you smile and laugh. Up in the Air starring George Clooney played a man who's job was to literally be hired by companies to fire their employees, so the company would not have to deal with the backlash.

Not my favorite film but Reitman again has created a not so lovable character, in a not so lovable atmosphere but his ease of creating complex, flawed characters is unlike any other director working today.

Reitman knows casting and he knows how to get the most out of his actors. He is a genius in creating moody, visceral characters who are always learning about themselves and who need to fullfil a yet undiscovered destiny.

Juno was the best approach at this. Juno starred Ellen Page who played a pregnant teenager who needed to understand her journey before she could understand motherhood. It was a very sweet and endearing film with an Oscar caliber performance by Page and a well deserved Oscar win for screenwriter Diablo Cody.

Cody is writing partner alongside Reitman. Cody's funny, Sorkinesque writing mixed with Reitman's real world, multi-dimensioal imagery makes them a very good team. Cody is again teamed with Reitman for his latest film Young Adult.

It stars Oscar winner Charlize Theron as a semi successful ghost writer of "young adult" fiction. If not already made clear, her profession is a metaphor for the title of the film. In proper Reitman fashion she is in a decent position in life but she seeks to fill in what she considers to be a missing piece to her puzzle.

That missing piece would be the one who got away. Only the one who got away is married with child and happy with his life. Reitman may not always be in good graces with mainstream audiences because of how raw his characters are and how real his films can be, but I like his work.

With that stated, I'm sad to say I strongly disliked Young Adult. Theron was fantastic. I've always considered her to be a chameleon in her craft. I'm not referencing her Oscar winning role in Monster where she literally gained fifty pounds and played a serial killer; I'm referencing the fact she is like ten actresses in one.

She can portray that witty Cameron Diaz charm. She can command attention in the vein of Jodie Foster. She can be sweet and timid like a Ginnfer Goodwin or vicious with one stare like Gabrielle Union. All the forementioned ladies, although good at what they do, only have just the one character type.

Theron has them all. Acting is not the issue here, its the subject matter and how it is handled. I know I previously stated the subject matter is what makes Reitman's films but this is different. Theron's lust causes her to interfere with a marriage for her personal gain.

The problem is it is taken to seriously. Reitman has made his career in combining drama with comedy, sometimes all drama with strategically placed humor but the balance is off in Young Adult. It doesn't know how to properly focus its lead character.

Theron does not come off like a love struck lost cause but rather she comes off hopelessly desperate and annoying. Her plans to get back her high school crush moves in a direction of making the viewer feel uneasy because the tone created is sappy.

It all drags and her decisions never get smarter or slightly more wise. Keeping a steady flow to this shaky dramedy is Patton Oswalt (The King of Queens) who plays the nerd Theron never noticed in high school.

Oswalt and Theron form a really good relationship together personifying what true friendship can look like. Oswalt delivers a stand out performance worthy of at least Oscar attention. It all floats along but never really goes anywhere.

It needed a stronger hold on character motives because it never sets the right structure. YA seems confused as to what mood it wants the audience to have in regard to Theron's personal actions. I'm not sure if Theron is aware she is trying to break up a marriage or is so stuck in her past life she doesn't care.

It all starts well but becomes quickly stale and boring. Great characters but flawed story.