'Youth In Revolt' (10)

'Youth In Revolt' (10) (R) ***

Writer: Gustin Nash based on the books by C.D. Payne
Director: Miguel Arteta
Starring: Michael Cera, Portia Doubleday, Jean Smart, Zach Galfinakis, Steve Buscemi, Ari Graynor, Fred Willard, Ray Liotta, Adhir Kaylan, Mary Kay Place, M. Emmet Walsh

I see a possible cult classic being born in the highly original "Youth In Revolt". I also see a funny and talented actor who wants to break out of his same nerdy characters and give us a little edge. Michael Cera is a very likable actor who is making some smart choices in comedies. He started out on the television show "Arrested Development" and was wonderful in that show. He has made an impression in two of my favorites of the last decade in "Juno" and "Superbad". He always plays that shy, quirky and geeky kid and in "Nick and Nora's Infinite Playlist" he showed a little edge and romantic leading role possibilities. In "Youth In Revolt" he plays that same geeky kid who lives in a trailer with his Mom and annoying boyfriend. He meets an attractive girl named Sheeni Saunders and Nick Twisp (Cera) likes her and he tries to build something good with her. She finds him a little too safe so he creates an alter ego with a little bit of a bad side named Francois Dillinger. Cera now has something to play with that he hasn't had before and that is a little dark, bad boy image. He is very good at playing both alter egos and the movie starts to get very funny.

This is a very offbeat and original movie with dark and offbeat characters, and a wonderful all star cast of great comic actors. They include Steve Buscemi (always makes me smile), Fred Willard, Jean Smart, Mary Kay Place, Ray Liotta and Zach Galfinakis. Also very good and funny are newcomers Ari Graynor, Portia Doubleday and Adhir Kalyan who is very good here. The movie has some very brilliantly funny scenes and a lot of scenes that miss. The movie though grows on me the more I think of it and I admire and embrace it's originality. This is not your typical teenage comedy and it's director, Miguel Arteta is unique and he had made another wonderful offbeat comedy in "Chuck and Buck". Here,with the help of the books this is based on, is a very original black comedy that could have been a small masterpiece. Instead you have a movie that tries something different and succeeds most of the time.