Young Adult-2011

Director Jason Reitman 

Starring Charlize Theron

Scott’s Review #1,267

Reviewed June 17, 2022

Grade: A-

I am a big fan of Jason Reitman films.

Though classified as comedies, they lack the qualities I most dislike in many mainstream comedies: slapstick, formulaic gag setups, and potty jokes that feel completely staged and redundant.

Instead, he weaves wry, sardonic humor, cynicism, and intelligence into his films, enhancing the writing and clarifying the characters’ motivations.

Most of his characters are damaged and unhappy, suffering from inner conflict or instability, but the result is witty humor that gives laughs to those who can think outside the box and immerse themselves in the characters’ heads.

Thanks to a brilliant screenplay by Diablo Cody, a female character’s thoughts and conflicts take center stage.

Reitman’s best films include Juno (2007), Up in the Air (2009), and Young Adult (2011), which are right up there with the others, with a darker tone than Juno.

Along with Reitman and Cody is a terrific performance by Charlize Theron, who rightfully should have received an Oscar nomination. That is tough to do in a comedy, and she settled for a Golden Globe nomination instead.

The movie poster for Young Adult reveals a lot about her character. With an annoyed, flabbergasted look and pajamas, she immediately gives off the vibe of being slovenly, fed up, and looking for a fight.

Theron is great at playing take-no-prisoners, tough characters with a bit of edge and a no-bullshit attitude.

Mavis Gary (Theron) is a successful but frustrated teen-lit writer who realizes her high school sweetheart, Buddy Slade (Patrick Wilson), has just become a father with his wife, Beth (Elizabeth Reaser).

Mavis decides to return to her small hometown and cause trouble.

She feels her life is slipping away, and she’d love to steal Buddy away from Beth and ride off into the sunset for presumed happiness. She also knows that life usually doesn’t work this way.

Mavis forms an unusual bond with a former classmate, Matt (Patton Oswalt), who has also struggled to move past high school.

The two connect in the unlikeliest of ways since they didn’t exactly travel in the same circles during high school. Matt has his own powerful story since he was gay-bashed, causing him to be permanently disabled.

Matt and Mavis are both relatable characters to most of the audience. Who hasn’t ruminated over their past life in high school? For some, high school is a glorious time filled with memories of pep rallies, parties, and graduation.

For others, the mere thought conjures up memories of insecurity, moodiness, and awkward experiences. Most people have some of both.

Mavis, Matt, and Buddy each close out their high school chapters in different ways, so the fun is seeing each character’s feelings surface amid conflict. Matt and Mavis turn to all-night drinking binges to ease their pain.

The best scene showcasing Mavis’s anger and Theron’s exceptional acting occurs at an outdoor party celebrating the naming of Buddy’s daughter.

As the entire town is gathered on the front lawn, Beth spills punch on Mavis’s dress, causing Mavis to fly into a rage, insulting Beth, and finally confessing that she was once pregnant with Buddy’s child but had a miscarriage.

The hateful Mavis, the hurt Beth, and the embarrassment of the townspeople are on full display. The scene is wonderful and shows how the events connect to the rest of the story.

Reitman brings complexity to his characters in Young Adult (2011) and proves that dark comedy, especially character-driven, provides emotional power amid the laughs.

I love that the ending is ambiguous rather than wrapped up in a nice bow like too many comedies.

Thanks to wonderful acting, insightful writing, and wise direction, the film is well-remembered and undoubtedly a source of inspiration for upcoming comedy writers and directors.