‘Youth in Revolt’ is a Weirdly Enjoyable Comedy, Though Also Profound in Theme
-----Michael Cera, stud of the raunchy teen comedy genre since his debut in 2007’s ‘Superbad,’ has hit a dry spell. In 2008, he starred in ‘Nick & Norah’s Infinite Playlist.’ That film, while initially enjoyable, slipped into convention around its second half, and only minutes after screening it you realized that he and his opposite lead were not just losers, they were also unlikable sex driven jerks. In 2009, Cera starred in ‘Year One,’ a film of such blatantly stupid humor that it worked as nothing more than a series of mediocre-at-best slapstick routines. And in 2010, with my first review of the year, I am happy to say that Cera has broken the trend. Branching, if only slightly, from his typical comedic comfort zone, Cera capably conducts an original and odd script that paves the way for his latest film, ‘Youth in Revolt.’
-----In the midst of living with his long divorced Mom and her loser boyfriend, Nick Twisp meets the girl of his dreams; one Sheeni Saunders. The only problem is that he is a loser through and through. When she shows some interest in him despite his geeky tendencies, Nick realizes he’ll do anything to keep her. And in this case, “anything” means creating an alternative identity known as Francois Dillinger, a certified badass literally willing to do anything to be with Sheeni.
-----Michael Cera plays Nick Twisp. At first it’s business as usual for Cera, playing a character as nerdy as the young actor likely is in real life. But as the star showed in 2007 with films like ‘Juno’ and even ‘Superbad’ (a film I have mixed feelings for), his routine can be funny with a quality script. Although, as I previously mentioned, a bad script makes his character more annoying than singing chipmunks (see-‘Alvin and the Chipmunks: The Squeakquel’). Indeed, it’s a thin line that Cera walks, and thankfully he’s blessed with a strong script in ‘Youth in Revolt.’ However, the actor’s only signs of actual development come from his other role in the film; for Michael Cera also plays Francois Dillinger, a carefree French-inspired aviator-wearing stud. Funnily enough, the two have great chemistry together. Twisp’s alternate identity is a great display of rarely seen variety from Cera, and just as this persona drives the film, he also drives the humor. Breaking from a character we’ve seen many times over the last few years, Cera is hilarious as he follows the lead of his bizarre alter ego. Francois’ moral compass is agreeably skewed, proving Twisp’s true feelings to be a bit creepy and even off-putting at times. Yet this is where ‘Youth in Revolt’ breaks away from lesser quirky titles like the aforementioned ‘Nick and Norah.’ The secret of it all is that somehow, even when our protagonist’s actions seem irredeemable (and sometimes unfortunately accurate in portraying today’s average teenage motive), he remains likable.
-----Helping Cera’s routine is a strong supporting cast. Oddly apportioned into different sections of the film, numerous fellow comedians in ‘Youth in Revolt’ show up for about 10-15 minutes and then are never heard from again. While this is occasionally disappointing, it keeps the film running in an unconventional sort of pace that skips from one mood to the next in a heartbeat; the only constant being Cera. Zach Galifianakis, the now legendary comedian from last year’s raunchy epic ‘The Hangover,’ is funny as the jerk boyfriend of our protagonists’ mom. The recognizable Adhir Kalyan plays a friend of Nick’s in a funny role, and the equally recognizable Fred Willard plays immigrant-smuggling neighbor Fred Ferguson. Also making appearances are Justin Long (of 2007’s hilarious ‘Accepted’) as the stoner brother of Nick’s love interest, and Steve Buscemi as Nick’s wacky dad who is, appropriately, like many of Buscemi’s previous characters. Finally, playing Cera’s female opposite is Portia Doubleday as Sheeni Saunders. Saunders handles the role in a quirky way similar to the style of Zooey Deschanel (of 2009’s excellent ‘500 Days of Summer’) characters, yet in an odd sort of reserved yet unreserved way. Just when you think you’ve got her figured out as a demon sporting a halo or the quiet unassuming type, the script throws you for a twist. One of the film’s most bizarre elements springs from its ultimately surprising conclusion, that seems to play against all conventions and earlier hints in the film; adding up to a sum that many audience members will definitely not have calculated.
-----The film’s quirky mentalities and surprising twists lend to the fact that it’s based on a book. Rarely do Hollywood screenplays follow the format of such an oddly constructed adventure of masculinity as ‘Youth in Revolt.’ However the film is also surprisingly perverted. With a trailer that would leave you questioning its R-Rating, the film proves to be a raunchy experience fully worthy of its MPAA assignment. Drugs, sex, and language fill the film in a way that surprises yet remains somehow different than your average blatant raunchy. It’s almost as if everything carries a sense of finesse with it, as opposed to the musty air of your typical “that’s what she said” humor. And while I can’t support some of the leads ideals, Cera is able to portray a sincerity beneath it all that gives a heart to the film’s questionable quests in ways similar to Judd Apatow’s now infamous R-comedy, ‘The 40 Year Old Virgin.’ Another funny resemblance comes in the small town romance ethics that peculiarly harkens back to 2007’s ‘Twilight’; weird.
-----With recent comedies, there always seems to be a chase scene. And oddly enough these comedic races still prove to be funny, whether in 2009’s otherwise bland ‘Adventureland,’ 2008’s awesome ‘Pineapple Express,’ or even 2007’s ‘Superbad’ (a film that keeps popping up with similarities to ‘Youth in Revolt’), the chase scenes keep coming and the cinematography seems consistently excellent during them. ‘Youth in Revolt’ has such a scene, and an excellent contemporary track plays behind it to perfection. This is the case with the rest of the film, which has an enjoyable mix of contemporary music and classical odes that fuel the films quirky sequences everywhere from fast paced chase scenes to its surprisingly poetic crescendo. Ultimately, Director Miguel Arteta has added some much needed class to what could have easily been a mishandled comedic outing.
-----Praise it as I may for its unique attributes and spread of quirky performances, ‘Youth in Revolt’ is far from perfect. It gets some laughs but isn’t anywhere near riotous, most of the entertainment coming from its fresh outlook on teen rebellion. It’s also hardly for everyone, and audiences easily offended by very crude and blunt humor should stay away. And yet, somewhat confounded as I was after my first viewing, it has set very well in my mind. The calm pace and illogical ending are begging for a repeat viewing to refocus on the film’s lurking themes that point to a relatively shocking conclusion unlike many being put out today. It simply defies the logic of other films similar to it, and puts stock in a type of romance often considered childish and naïve today, all wrapped in a somehow believable American setting. Cera’s detached feelings toward his parents are relatively disturbing yet somehow liberating and just. Many of its morals are also disturbing if taken at eye level, though I sensed something greater being hinted at beyond this affront; branching into a reasonably thoughtful character study of an oppressed and lonely teenager. All in all it’s a very layered film cloaked in the façade of a raunchy teen comedy. This is a truth that may dismay many casual viewers, but for bold moviegoers not easily offended and looking for something different, this is a film worth seeing; maybe even twice if you too recognize the allegory extending beneath the film’s misleading surface.
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