Swanner: Going in to see Youth in Revolt, I was a bit nervous. The movie was first scheduled for November and was moved to January. (brief history of movies will tell you that nearly nothing good ever comes from January and being moved to January says a lot) So walking in all I had on my side was that it was a comedy and it was 90 minutes long…these are the little things that give reviewers the strength to go on some days. Surprisingly it was a strange and funny movie and better than the 2 hour Heroes I was DVRing at home.
Judd: Interesting that you would say that. The movie, starring Michael Cera, Jean Smart, Ray Liotta and Zach Galifianakis, is targeted to teen hipsters. I know that my 15 year old self would be all over this movie. However as an adult, watching a teen with schizophrenia commit grand theft auto, arson, and watching him drug the girl he “loves” (wants to screw) to get her expelled so he can have her – I found it all a bit creepy.
Swanner: It was very creepy. I’m sure the movie is saying that young men will do anything for the woman (girl that gives out) he loves. I’m really going strictly off the humor in the script. The storyline is just awful. No wonder this kid is a mess. His mother goes through boyfriends like crazy and his dad is dating a girl half his age (which is perfectly normal) so his home life is complicated. His best friend is delusional so the fact this kid hasn’t off’ed himself is a surprise all it’s own. Still, the script is very funny and most of the references were for old guys like us.
Judd: I have to say that while Michael Cera is a one trick pony, this script gave him a little more to do than be the stuttering nebbish he normally plays, and he pulled it off. Though I’m torn when it comes to judging the script on the quality of it’s writing. It does have some very funny moments and it’s nice to see teen sex romps written for kids that don’t fall for the American Pie franchise. It’s nice to know there are kids that appreciate dry wit, but at the same time, I feel that teenagers referencing obscure movies and spouting off $5 words a bit pretentious.
Swanner: Do you really think that anyone under 18 will think the script has been cleverly written? I think the under 18 year olds will enjoy the goofy coming of age aspect, but when Cera comments of Italian movies I imagine many glazed over young people waiting for the next pratfall. I’m okay with a script written for us old guys that has enough bright shiny objects to amuse the kids. It was also fun having them make reference to many northern California locations…even though the “Berkeley” scenes were completely off the mark.
Judd: I think you’re absolutely wrong. The script isn’t written for us “old guys”. This movie is written for the Juno/hipster/teen culture that espouses all the bright-shiny-objects that the majority of kids of that age go after. Unfortunately, when you’re that young trying to establish an identity that is outside the norm you tend to go overboard – which this movie does, and I found to be irritating.
Swanner:
Judd: