Young Adult (2011)
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AUDIENCE SCORE
Critic Consensus: Despite its somewhat dour approach, Young Adult is a funny and ultimately powerful no-holds-barred examination of prolonged adolescence, thanks largely to a convincing performance by Charlize Theron.
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Cast
as Mavis Gary
as Matt Freehauf
as Buddy Slade
as Beth Slade
as Sandra Freehauf
as Hedda Gary
as David Gary
as Jan
as Mary Ellen Trantowski
as Nipple Confusion Bassist
as Nipple Confusion Bassist
as Front Desk Girl
as Sales Lady
as Book Associate
as Vicki
as Wheelchair Mike
as Babysitter
as Date Man
as Champions Server
as Teen Employee
as Teen Employee
as Girl
as Girl
as Teenage Clerk
as Party Guest
as Parking Attendant
as Denny's Waitress
as Young Dad
as Champions Greeter
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Critic Reviews for Young Adult
All Critics (182) | Top Critics (46) | Fresh (146) | Rotten (36) | DVD (6)
There has always been something so inward about [Theron;] she can seem detached or deprived. But here it's as if the script and the direction felt bound to heed that loneliness, and let the actress go with her bravery and the depressive sag of her mouth.

There is a raw honesty here rare in movies, and it's very funny too - excruciating at times.
Young Adult may be the year's most engaging feel-bad movie.
There's little about Mavis that makes for feel-good revelry. That's an understatement, perhaps. Yet, Theron's work feels true to Mavis' malaise -- and often, just as sad.
As good as Theron and Oswalt are, and they're very good, Young Adult doesn't give them enough room to breathe.
A low-key, indie-style comedy that plays precariously close to an unfunny sociopathic case study.
Audience Reviews for Young Adult
Charlize Theron is perfect once again after shining as Aileen Wuornos in Monster, making it easy for us to feel sympathy for a character who is so immature and selfish - thanks also to Diablo Cody, who wrote a smart script and really knows how to blend dark humor and bitterness.
Super Reviewer
Diablo Cody has previously written Juno and Jennifer's Body, and I got to admit, I really don't enjoy her work. However with Young Adults I was surprised. Charlize Theron is a great actress, and what I love about her is that not only is she beautiful, but she has acting skills and is not just a pretty face. In this film she really delivers a wonderful performance that is funny and sad at the same time. The plot is quite interesting, and I was surprised I enjoyed the film like I did. However the strength of the movie lies with Charlize Theron and Patton Oswalt's chemistry and for me, I really felt that it's what made the movie work. Even with my reservations of Cody's work, I'll say that this is her best script, and it is by far better than the overrated Juno. Young Adults combines comedy and drama perfectly and that's only matched by a fine cast and great direction. If you want a great dramatic comedy, then this is the film to watch. Theron is wonderful here and she yet again displays her talent on-screen in a performance that is one of her best in many years. There are things that could have been improved upon, but overall this is an engaging movie that is worth seeing. Young Adults is a fine film that is worth seeing. Charlize Theron does impressive work yet again and is perfect for the part she plays. The film has few flaws, but overall is an entertaining drama with just the right amount of humor to make it interesting.
Super Reviewer
Diablo Cody and Jason Reitman team up again to give us a second honest story about the Midwest, and it hits just as hard and contains as many awkward laughs - maybe more - than their first joint, Juno. Charlize Theron repulses in this film as the successful, beautiful New Yorker who comes home to get her dream man and her sense of self back only to implode in the process. It's not a normal film in that it doesn't wrap itself up in a tidy little bow, but rather one with which you hobble toward the ending, hoping to cross the line but worried that you just won't make it. I've read a lot of mixed reviews, and I think the reason is that in places - particularly a baby shower that the titular author ruins - it's completely uncomfortable to watch. A valuable work because it gets down in the trenches, the pain and the mud of the ordinary, the relative-to-the-observer meanings of "normal," or "accomplished," or "happy." A challenging work from the mainstream with a detestable anti-hero, and a film that's the better for it. Jason Reitman is climbing my list of favourite directors.
Super Reviewer
Young Adult Quotes
| Mavis Gary: | Matt, don't you get it. Love conquers all. Have you not seen the graduate or like, I don't know, anything? |
| Mavis Gary: | Mother, I'm trying to tell a story here. |
| Sandra Freehauf: | Take me with you. |
| Mavis Gary: | Excuse me? |
| Sandra Freehauf: | Take me with you. To the Mini Apple. |
| Mavis Gary: | You're good here, Sandra. |
| Mavis Gary: | Sometimes in order to heal a few people have to get hurt. |
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