Young Adult (R) 94 minutes B+
Punch Drunk Love
Starring Charlize Theron, Patton Oswalt, Patrick Wilson, Elizabeth Reaser and Jill Eikenberry.
Young Adult is a Hollywood comedy about a tall, skinny, intoxicating blonde who goes back to her hometown to win the heart of her (happily married) high school boyfriend. Normally, a Hollywood comedy with this storyline would be uber-lame, and reserved for the likes of Kate Hudson and Patrick Dempsey. But thanks to director Jason Reitman (Juno & Up In the Air) and screenwriter Diablo Cody (Juno & Jennifer's Body), Young Adult doesn't suck. It's actually one of the best films of the year.
Mavis Gary (Theron) is a 37 year-old ghost writer of a popular series of YA novels. She left her small Minnesota town after high school, moved to the big city and became something of a success story. Yet, a recent divorce and waning popularity of the aforementioned novels has driven her to drink. Fueled by vulnerability, alcohol and immaturity, Mavis is bringing sexy back with cringeworthy, funny and sad results. After a little bit of a slow start, this film provided one of my favorite endings of the year.
You won't be able to take your eyes off of Charlize Theron, while Patton Oswalt continues to prove that he is more than just a funny guy. Recommended!
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