Bobby Movie Review: "Young Adult"

"Young Adult"

What is it about?

A former popular hottie in High School travels back to her small town in Minnesota to try to steal her ex-boyfriend away from his new wife and baby.

How are the top performances?

CHARLIZE THERON as Mavis Gary

Charlize Theron is a rare talent. Both beautiful and gifted as an actress, she has been wasted ever since her well-deserved Oscar win for the underrated Monster back in 2004. She shouldn't be Will Smith's sidekick in Hancock, she should be showcasing her talents. I did not see Meryl Streep's performance in The Iron Lady, and while I believe it was probably fantastic because, well Jesus, it's Meryl Streep, I can't see how Theron doesn't at least get an Academy Award nomination for this character who is so blessed on the outside but falling apart at the seams on the inside. Her alcoholic, hitting-rock-bottom bitch seems all too real. This was the best acting performance I saw in all of 2011.

PATTON OSWALT as Matt Freehauf

While nobody should be surprised as a former Oscar winner like Theron gives us a phenomenal performance, you should be blown away that Patton Oswalt also gives a superb character study here as well. He serves as the voice of reason, and somebody who is a true victim in life, leaving him nearly crippled because a few jocks beat the living shit out of him in High School because they falsely thought he was gay. It's very funny watching Patton and Theron's characters, so totally on the polar opposite sides of the social spectrum, interact and bounce lines off of each other.

What's any good about it?

Before this film, I wasn't a fan of Diablo Cody but did respect her. This is the woman who wrote Oscar darling independent film Juno a few years ago.

Initially, I really enjoyed Juno. Then after a few re-watches, I realized that nobody fucking talks like that. The dialogue was too gimmicky to me and a little too clever for its own good.

Young Adult has none of that. It's an intrinsic study of a person falling apart before our very eyes.

Everyone in the audience can see that it's absolutely ridiculous for Theron's character to think she can win back her now-happily-married ex who just had a baby months ago, but only someone going through pain can understand the tunnel vision you put yourself through to try and make yourself happy.

The movie also has some hysterical, witty one-liners and breezes by.

Also, I have to say, the moment that Theron is at the bar and hears her ex-boyfriend's new wife sing THEIR old song, is one of the most heartbreaking moments I've seen on film in quite a while. The look on Theron's face perfectly gets across somebody who's heart has sunk to the pit of their stomach. I haven't felt that way since Paul Giamatti learned that his ex-wife was now pregnant in Sideways. Or maybe Teddy KGB pulling out the Aces over 9's full house on Mikey in Rounders. What a phenomenal scene.

Also, Charlize should have secured her Oscar nomination with her unbelievable, fantastic, sensational breakdown on the front lawn in front of everybody. "It is silk, and it is fucked." begins an epic, epic rant.

Do you have any complaints, you whiny bitch who complains about everything?

Not really. The film isn't perfect by any means, but it gets across everything that it wants to get across.

Best Scene

***SPOILER ALERT SKIP TO "FINAL THOUGHTS" IF YOU DO NOT WANT THIS SPOILED***


There is an amazing scene at the end of this film.


After it inevitably falls apart with her ex, Charlize breaks down crying in her former small town of Mercury, Minnesota with Patton Oswalt's sister. 

"It's really difficult for me to be happy." She says. "And then for other people, it just seems so simple."


She goes on to say "I need to change."


In a lesser film, this would be the moment where she decides to quit drinking, get healthy and end the film on a sappy, predictable, faux-inspiration note.


In this film, the reply from the sister is "No, you don't."


Charlize is puzzled.


The sister explains:


"You don't need to change. You are the only person in Mercury, Minnesota who can write a book, or wear a dress like that. Everyone in this town is fat and dumb."


Charlize goes on to say "But most people here seem so happy with so little. It's like they don't even seem to care about what happens to them."

Then, the epic finale. The sister replies:

"That's because it doesn't matter what happens to them. They're nothing. Might as well die...fuck Mercury."

The whole point of the film is whether you believe that is good advice, or bad advice.

Personally, I believe it's the best advice I've heard in a long, long time.

Just because other people are happy in their routines doesn't mean you should be. Not everyone has to get married and have kids to be "normal". You are who you are.

I'm not a "normal" person, although "normal" is a completely bullshit word that I detest. The word "normal" suggests that a so-called "normal" person is the fucking standard. It's the most arrogant word that exists. But I am a good person. I might not be the richest guy out there, or have the most muscles, but I'm a good guy. They aren't as smart as I am. They aren't as compassionate as I am. They may have a few qualities over me, but I have them in areas as well. You can out-bench-press me, but let's see you beat me in Trivial Pursuit. Douchebag.

I don't have to change for anybody. This is an amazing scene.

You may feel differently.

Final Thoughts

I still believe Drive is the best film of 2011, but this is a very distinguished number 2 that deserved an Oscar for Best Actress and Original Screenplay.

Charlize gives the best performance of the year, and the film has a very powerful message, even if you don't agree with it.

Bobby Grade: A-

Great Quote

"In this world, it's not what you hope for, it's not what you deserve, it's what you take."

---Frank T.J. Mackey (Tom Cruise), Magnolia