Review of Youth in Revolt (2009) by Archibald T — 22 Mar 2011

Nick Twisp is a typical horny 16 year old. His introduction in the movie is one that will be remember for years to come. (No Pun Intended) Like many other teenagers, his parents are divorced. Living with his mother who is dating a slob con artist mechanic named Jerry and on occasion stays with his father George who has a 25 year old live-in girlfriend named Lacey.

Nick has a friend named Lefty who is just as sexually frustrated as Nick. Labeled as an outcast because he enjoys Sinatra and Fellini films, it becomes extremely apparent that the girls Nick finds attractive seem to go for the assholes instead of, well, him. One day his mom's boyfriend pisses off some sailors by ripping them off on a car he sold them which was rigged to not work. This sends the trio off to a trailer park called Clearlake where Nick's first chapter begins.

Sheeni Saunders is the girl who Nick swoons over. She too finds him interesting even if he is a virgin. Sheeni herself has already dabbled in the sex department and Nick sees an opportunity here to lose his cherry to such a beauty. She is the closes Nick will ever come to in finding 'The One' since they both share surprisingly A LOT in common. Her ideal mate would be French, they'd live in Paris and he'd have to be very, very bad. (In a good way).

However, sadly, Sheeni confesses to Nick that she already has a love. His name is Trent and he reads futuristic poetry (or something like that). Nick is crushed, but Sheeni doesn't let the moment slip away since Nick doesn't have much longer to stay at Clearlake before he heads back home. She allows him to make out with her, buy her a little dog which they refer to as their love child and whispered declarations until she comes up with a plan for Nick to stay in Clearlake.

The plan is for him to be, well, bad. To start some kind of ruckus between him and his mother so he can stay with his father who doesn't live that far from her. This is when Francois enters the picture. Nick creates him as an alter ego to not only be bad, but to help him get laid. It's really what Francois wants for Nick. With this 2nd persona, they create a significant ideal for Sheeni.

After blowing up a restaurant with a car and a trailer, Nick eventually hides out after his mother's relationship with a cop who lied to protect Nick sours sending the cop to tell the truth that it was Nick. This is where the manhunt begins and for Nick to decide whether or not this one girl is worth it. Much of their love is put to the test since Nick wants to be with her. Both are very caught up in the moment and since being a teenager has that affect when you're in love you'll pretty much do anything to obtain it forever.

The deadpan humor gives the actors an annoying touch of robotic-ism acting. I loved how Francois was the only one who seemed to be in touch with reality even though he was imaginary. If it takes so much to get a girl to like you to the point where the cops are after you then I guess romance really doesn't need a moon.

Overall, an interesting tale of teen horniness with a few funny moments and a great piece of acting from Cera who seems to be slowly coming into his own.