MOVIE REVIEW - Youth In Revolt

It's January and although there are still great movies in the theaters from the holidays, this month is traditionally a weak month for new releases. That brings us to Youth In Revolt.

YIR is loaded with actors that you know. Micheal Cera, Portia Doubleday, Ray Liotta, Jean Smart, Steve Buscemi, Mary Kay Place, and Justin Long. This is not the first rodeo for any of them. But maybe a second look a this project was in order. YIR is my understanding has been finished for a ling time, and delayed a few times to decide the exact moment to put in theaters. That moment is not here yet.

YIR is the story of Nick (Cera) who is 17 or so. He is a socially awkward kid and this movie is essentially about what he does to lose his virginity to his "love" Sheeni (Doubleday). He goes to great lengths to manipulate his life and those in it, to be nearer to Sheeni and his ultimate goal. Wow...ho hum......

YIR is at times witty and fun. But those few times give way to really silly, stupid and revolting. Tons of bathroom humor, that has been rehashed 45,000 times in other movies just doesn't work. Cera again is an awkward kid, who delivers his lines in the deadpan, understated fashion that was once cute in Nick and Nora's Ultimate Play List, is now limiting and really getting on our nerves. And don't get me started on his role in Year One, the worst movie of last year.

The story line of course is timeless. There have been scads of movies made about teen lust and what they do about it. Some are funny, relatable and well done. YIR is on that list. This flick is old, cliche and tired. There is an attempt to freshen this up, with some ridiculous animation scenes interspersed in for some reason. But they look awkward and desperate. As does the rest of this story and cast.

Was there laughter? None to speak of in a theater filled with late teens and tweens. So it didn't work for them either. There's been better use for film in recorded history that's for sure.

Youth In Revolt. To be missed, is to be blissed!