Youth in Revolt isn’t a movie about which I can say, “Go see it!  You’ll love it!”  Because, based on word of mouth and a lot of other reviews I’ve read, there’s a good chance you won’t.  I don’t know why.  Maybe it’s because it’s a “small” movie.  It’s not hugely ambitious, but it seeks only to be charming and entertaining, and it succeeds.

What I can tell you is that I loved it.  I went in expecting a high-concept laffer (that’s Variety slanguage for a straightforward comedy with an easily-explained premise) about awkward Michael Cera using his vulgar alter ego, Francois Dillinger to get laid.  Game, set, snatch.  Instead I got this sort of extended, absurdist riff.  It was a pleasant surprise — quirky in the original sense of the word, when it still meant charming and strange, and not obnoxiously twee.  It manages to be offbeat in a way that’s intelligent without feeling smug, and honest without being cringe-inducingly earnest, like so many indie films and your fruity love letters.

Read the rest of this entry »

This is the second trailer for Youth in Revolt, the red-band version that doesn’t cut out the swears.  The plot of Youth in Revolt is pretty simple: Michael Cera is a sensitive puss who can’t get laid, so he grows a Tyler Durden-like split personality who’s awesome because he cusses and acts a total dick to everyone. Have we seen this before? Of course — at least twice in Jim Carrey movies alone.  But who cares?  This has some of the best one-liners since Kenny Powers.

“You get aroused easily?  Don’t stop, Frank.  For all we know, my vagina could be moist with desire as we speak.”

“I’ve created a supplemental persona named Francois Dillinger.”

“So what is your plan, sh-thead?  I’m gonna help you stick your filthy d-ck in this tomato.”

“I’m gonna wrap your legs around my head and wear you like the crown that you are.”

What a coincidence, my Tyler Durden-style alter ego also stuck his d-ck in a tomato. When my mom asked what I was doing I just screamed “PROJECT MAYHEM!” and dove out the window.

Read the rest of this entry »

Youth in Revolt stars Zach Galifianakis, Steve Buscemi, Ray Liotta, and Justin Long, with Michael Cera in the lead.  I always get people in the comments complaining about Michael Cera sucking, or playing the same character over and over, but what can I say, he still cracks me up.   Especially when he’s playing his own mustachio’d evil twin.  I’ve read he was the only actor allowed to ad lib on the set of Arrested Development, which makes sense, he has impeccable timing.  Unlike someone I know. (*points to crotch*)

Opens January 8th.

Above is the trailer for R-rated comedy Youth In Revolt (HD trailer at firstshowing), starring Michael Cera and Portia Doubleday, with a supporting role by Chad Farthouse. During summer vacation, Cera falls in love with a girl he can’t get, so he creates an alter ego named “Francois Dillinger. Bold, contemptuous of authority. And irresistible to women.”  And he has a sweet mustache, of course.  Good to see Cera in a movie I’d actually want to watch and not playing the same character as always.  This is the part of the post where I’m supposed to say something funny.  I got nothin’.  Sorry folks, my funny is broken. The moose outside should’ve told ya.

~ robopanda