Review of Young Adult (2011) by James W — 31 Oct 2013

Way funnier than I expected, Young Adult features whip smart writing and devotion to characters, and it just goes to prove that you don't need crude humour or slapstick to make a film funny. Charlize Theron is Mavis Gary, a writer who is still living her glories days of high school, who returns to her home school and attempts to ignite the flame between her and her high school love, Patrick Wilson.

Turns out he's got a child and is very happily married, but Mavis is determined to get him back, along with the help and advice from Matt Freehauf, played by Patton Oswalt. What follows is a fantastic and well constructed character study on reliving the past, being stuck in the past and the inability to recognise one's flaws and problems, and Charlize Theron's performance is magnificent.

The intensity in her eyes as she looks at Buddy Slade's wife with disgust, the sarcasm and smart one liners, and there's a little bit of me in Mavis Gary, that being the love for Diet Coke and watching trash reality TV from time to time.

Patton Oswalt is just as good, who is dwelling on the past and using it as an excuse to get through his current days, but between the two they find solace and it's quite sweet, especially towards the ending which is a great way to end such a dark comedy.

I was so surprised I enjoyed this, Director Jason Reitman did Up In The Air which I hated with a passion, but this is a completely different experience and it's definitely one I'd watch again.