The dark themed “Young Adult” headlines Charlize Theron as an author of literature for young adults. Alcoholic divorcé Mavis Gary (Theron) returns to her Midwestern roots to reunite with a former high school boyfriend. Although grown older with the years, she’s still a teenager that hasn’t grown up or matured to her comparable age. Mavis glamorizes herself and seems unaware her grating behavior irritates others, especially her former beau Buddy Slade (Patrick Wilson) who is happily married with a child. The conniving manipulator intends to get back the man who got away, and enlists the help of an ex-classmate. Joining her quest is nerdy and disadvantaged, Matt Freehauf (Patton Oswalt) who proves to be an ardent listener with simpatico which relates to her errant ways.
Diablo Cody’s clever script is directed by Jason Reitman (reteamed from the award winning “Juno”). The scenario is a beguiling creative work offering Charlize Theron a plum part. Ironically in “Monster,” she played down her good looks; here, she’s prettied up portraying a different kind of monster. Mavis is devious but also pathetic, eliciting a fair amount of sympathy for her unpleasant character that turns off people and drives them away in a winning portrayal.
Image Source: The Film Stage
