"Youth in Revolt"
NEIRAD enilno edition
"Youth in Revolt" is the latest teen comedy starring the soon to be 22-year-old, Michael Cera. Yes the same awkwardly funny actor who played similar roles in the Oscar nominated teen movie "Juno", and the hilariously funny comedy "Superbad" is at it again in his latest film.
Based from the 1993 novel "Youth in Revolt: The Journals of Nick Twisp", by C.D. Payne, the new film tells the story of a 16-year-old boy named Nick Twisp who is struggling through adolescence. With two divorced parents both fighting to make a decent living, Nick finds himself searching for love. After Nick's mom's latest boyfriend finds himself in trouble with a tough crowd, the three are forced to take a trip out of their house and into a trailer park. While there, Nick finds the love of his life Sheeni who he unfortunately finds is in a relationship with tall poetry writing, French-speaking, windsurfer named Trent Preston. Despite Sheeni's initial refusal, Nick and Sheeni begin to form a relationship.
However, after Nick is forced to return to his house, Sheeni encourages Nick to turn bad in order for his mom to give him to her dad who had just found a job in Sheeni's town. In order to turn from a Frank Sinatra-loving virgin into a bad boy, Nick creates an alter ego that forces him into numerous terrible situations. Soon after creating his alter ego, Nick's life entirely changes. Nick now becomes a back talking teenager looking for trouble. He becomes unafraid of any of his actions and even starts a fire in the town to win Sheeni's love. Soon after Nick is forced to run from the law as he tries to keep his relationship with his first love alive.
A major plus of this film is the strong cast. Not only does "Youth in Revolt" feature the proven humor of Michael Cera, but it also has many others. Justin Long, who has starred in movies such as "Dodgeball" but is better known in his role playing Mac in the Mac vs. PC commercials, plays Sheeni's brother. Fred Willard who has starred in funny movies such as "Anchorman" and "American Wedding", is Nick's next door neighbor. Portia Doubleday makes her debut as Nick's love interest Sheeni Saunders. However, Doubleday certainly lacks the name credibility of the rest of the cast. Doubleday was not the best character in the film, and at times her part seemed stale and dry.
Ultimately "Youth in Revolt" is a movie that is not laugh out loud funny, but will be sure to produce a few cheap laughs. Do not mistake this movie for a great comedy; however its simple story does leave you leaving the theatre with a few chuckles. If you are interested in a simple, funny, short movie than go ahead and see this movie, but do not expect to be blown away.
