Grow Up; Youth in Revolt Review

So It's really hard to figure out this movie. Im not gonna say I don't like it, but this film is just a very strange film.

First off, I know there some people out there who don't like Michael Cera, well bad news he's the main character. What makes this different from other Cera films is that he is more self aware then he usually is, that really is the whole crutch of the film. His character, Nick Twisp, is desperate to win the heart of Sheeni Saunders (played by Portia Doubleday). So to build up the courage to get with the girl he adopts the persona of Francois Dillinger, the complete opposite of the Michael Cera archetype.

The main cast is alright, really it's just Cera and Doubleday in the movie, everyone else is just kind of there. I always like Cera, i think he's pretty entertaining, but Doubleday comes off very robotic once and awhile. The supporting cast (everyone else) is great, and it's unfortunate they aren't in it more. Fred Willard is especially memorable as the odd neighbor that helps Cera when he's in a jam.

Characters are not enough to carry a film though, plot is kinda important too, and this is where I think the film falters. While there is a goal, the whole mission is carried out with little excitement. The motivations of the characters are just odd. Cera goes from just kind of being a quirky rebellious kid, to downright dastardly. There might be to many supporting characters as there is never enough time to actually get to know them. All you get is Doubleday and Cera, and they're not really enough to carry an entire film. It's weird because the film is barely over an hour, even if it meant stretching the movie out I wouldn't mind a little more character exposition.

If anything I would recommend this as a rent, it's just a very odd (kind of pointless film). I'm gonna give it a 3 outta 5. Cera fans might want to check it out, but the real Cera movie to check out this year will be "Scott Pilgrim vs. the World", at least I'm stoked.