Young Adult

Young Adult is a provocative and insightful dark comedy-drama film that premiered in 2011. The acclaimed director of Juno, Jason Reitman, paired again with screenwriter Diablo Cody to deliver this razor-sharp blend of severe wit and raw emotion. The film wowed audiences with its unflinching, profoundly introspective exploration of growing up or, rather, refusing to.

The movie revolves around the gripping portrayal of Mavis Gary, an enthralling and troubled protagonist. Academy Award-winner Charlize Theron gives one of her most raw, complex performances, bringing to life a character that is disturbingly relatable yet uniquely singular. Mavis is a recently divorced, discontented author who lives alone in Minneapolis, spending her life in a state of dysphoria, clutching onto her glory days as a high school queen bee. She makes her career ghostwriting a once-popular series of young adult novels, a job imbued with irony as it shows her stubborn refusal to let go of her youthful past.

When Mavis receives an email announcing the newborn baby of her high school sweetheart, Buddy Slade (Patrick Wilson), she makes an ill-conceived decision that sets the movie’s intense plot into motion. Believing she can reclaim her status and happiness by reconnecting with her ex, she heads back to her small hometown of Mercury, Minnesota. Battling with a middle-age crisis, mixed with heavy doses of narcissism and alcoholism, she attempts to rekindle a relationship with Buddy. At the same time, he happily resides in domestic bliss with his wife and newborn.

Buddy, played with nuance by Patrick Wilson, is the quintessential nice guy who was once the high school jock, now living a seemingly perfect life. In contrast to the emotionally tangled Mavis, Buddy remains blissfully ignorant of her destructive intentions, thus thickening the plot’s dramatic intensity.

As Mavis spirals further into denial and dysfunction, she crosses paths with Matt Freehauf (Patton Oswalt). Matt is a high school acquaintance who, unlike Mavis, is acutely aware of the unforgiving reality of their life post-high school. Matt, a former "unimportant" student, still carries physical and psychological scars from a brutal high school hate crime. He provides a sharp counterpoint to Mavis's delusions through his accurate insights of their existence. Patton Oswalt delivers an outstanding, dramatic performance, deftly balancing comedic timing with surgically precise emotional depth. Despite their differences, Matt and Mavis strike up an unlikely friendship. Perhaps it was their mutual realization of their shattered lives that brought them together, or their need to escape the harsh realities of life.

Young Adult deals with the raw, often uncomfortable truths about mature topics, making it a compelling and thought-provoking watch. The potent combination of Diablo Cody's biting dialogue and Jason Reitman's meticulously restrained direction make for a remarkable exploration of the human condition, specifically relationships, maturity, hope, vanity, delusion, and the struggle to come to terms with time's passage.

Charlize Theron’s performance highlights the torment of Mavis's narcissistic personality disorder while managing to evoke sympathy. Her character is complex and flawed, yet she keeps her audience hooked, navigating through a whirlwind of emotions ranging from hatred to empathy. On the other hand, Patrick Wilson convincingly embodies his character Buddy, reflecting the charm and ignorance that make him an unwitting prey to Mavis's plan.

However, arguably one of the most profound performances in the film comes from Patton Oswalt, whose portrayal of Matt presents a poignant rendering of resilience, survival, and unexpected humor in the face of life’s darker side. Oswalt’s masterful portrayal of this complex character becomes the heart of the film as the plot unfolds.

Young Adult is a cutting-edge exploration of a woman’s struggle with her past and identity, a tale told with unflinching honesty, dark humor, and provocative dialogue. Tackling themes like nostalgia, disillusionment, and the harsh realization of adulthood, it is a relatable, powerful film, perfect for those seeking a refreshingly honest, if not bleakly funny, interpretation of life past high school's glory days. If you’re fond of movies that unravel the complexities of human psychology and relationships with a sprinkle of humor, Young Adult is a film that shouldn't be missed.