Director: Jason Reitman
Cast: Charlize Theron, Patrick Wilson, Patton Oswalt
Certification: 15
Synopsis: Mavis (Theron) is an author struggling to finish the last novel in series of teen drama books whose popularity is waning. Despite possessing all the signifiers of being a grown-up: nice apartment, car and a cool job, Mavis is slovenly, lazy and irresponsible. When she receives an email from former high school sweet-heart (Wilson) announcing the birth of his child she disregards her deadline and heads for her home town with the intention of stealing the man she considers to be her sole-mate.
Upon seeing the trailer for YOUNG ADULT, THN was pretty indifferent. On initial viewing it looked a little too close to last year’s disappointing BAD TEACHER (starring Cameron Diaz) to be of much interest, with the comedic crux of such films relying on the misconception that a pretty woman being a slob and a bitch is enough to make a funny movie. THN is very happy to report our early preconceptions were wrong. YOUNG ADULT is fresh and engaging and has an indie sensibility that draws comedy from familiar social relationships and characters. The film is a black comedy that poses the question ‘what becomes of the prom queen?’ – to which the resulting answer is funny, moving and, at times, more than a little disturbing.
Mavis is the kind of gal who passes out every night face down and fully clothed, waking up chugging diet coke, having a breakfast of fast food and forgoes the morning news in favour of reality TV and gossip shows. Everything about her is casual, work, sex, household chores and even the care of her pet dog ‘Dolce’. From the first scene her sullen and shallow existence belies the fact something is missing from her life, and we soon realise she is actually lovelorn and slightly obsessive. Theron is great in this movie both due to her natural gravitas and an ability to play sulky selfishness in a believable way without becoming an unlikeable protagonist.
The film takes place in her old home town and derives a lot of comedy from her elitist attitude about the people and places and even more so in her tactlessness at voicing disgust and disdain for their ‘Hicksville’ lifestyle. Mavis barely recalls most of the people she encounters and we slowly glean her reputation as a ‘psychotic prom queen bitch’. Her relationship with the tragic nice guy Matt Freehauf (endearingly portrayed by Patton Oswalt) is an excellent union of two people crippled either physical or emotional afflictions from their pasts. Oswalt and Theron’s natural back and forth is a brilliantly executed staple of the movie as Mavis simultaneously exploits and mocks him whilst depending on his council.
The causes of Mavis’ character defects are skilfully revealed naturally without ever smacking of exposition, a testament to JUNO scribe Diablo Cody’s talent. A Failed marriage, lack of emotion, the reality of her job and other more gruesome habits gradually paint a portrait of a person who is not psychologically stable and it is just as we as an audience realise this that she blows her top and shows just how damaged she really is in an awkward confrontation at the baby naming ceremony that genuinely put a lump in THNs throat. YOUNG ADULT finishes with mixed emotion; there is no attempt by the filmmakers resolution. Just as is appears Mavis has had an epiphany her negative behaviour is reinforced and although she has faced her demons it is unclear whether she will move on to be a better person. Still this is an apt ending to a film that maintains a realistic portrayal of a woman as a difficult juncture in life.
YOUNG ADULT is well worth a watch as it tackles serious social behavioural issues in a manner both funny and repulsive whilst all the while remaining intriguing. It doesn’t fit neatly into a specific genre but is a fascinating character study of a kind of person we all encountered in school and wondered how they’re life turned out.
YOUNG ADULT is released in UK cinemas 3rd February
