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FILM REVIEW: Youth in Revolt
Posted by: anthony – Jan 10, 2010
Youth in Revolt is very much a film in a similar vein as Ghost World and Art School Confidential. Coincidentally enough, all of these films are part of a wave of adapted literature that stems from the underground. Whether it’s writers like Daniel Clowes, Harvey Pekar, Chris Fuhrman or in this case C.D. Payne, these artists are finally garnering the attention and respect they rightfully deserve. This doesn’t by any means suggest that all of the adaptations in question are on par with their source materials. We could only be so lucky. Thankfully, Youth in Revolt is an entertaining dark comedy that may not find it’s audience until much further down the road.
The film follows Nick Twisp (Michael Cera) as he attempts to survive adolescence. His mother jumps from relationship to relationship while his father is dating someone not even half his age. This doesn’t seem to help Nick as he finds himself to feel alone in the world around him. That is until he meets Sheeni Saunders (Portia Doubleday). Sheeni is the perfect companion for Nick. Her appreciation of foreign cinema, vinyl records and all things French are instantly attractive to Nick. One of many obstacles that stand in his way is that the two are forever apart and the distance is unbearable to him. In order to get closer, he creates an alternate persona by the name of Francois Dillinger. With Francois, Nick can act out his fantasies and along the way create a level of allure that only makes him more attractive to Sheeni.
Although it may sound simple, the heart of the film is in its idiosyncrasies. Every action bares an extreme reaction and consequence that alters the paths of every character. In those moments, Youth in Revolt becomes a glorious spectacle that is engaging and amusing.
Unfortunately, Cera has had a rough track record with his film career. Films like Superbad and Juno are excellent examples of what we have come to expect from the actor. In those pictures, the films relied heavily on the compatibility of the ensemble cast at hand. This was a similar quirk to the infamous television program Arrested Development that was the world’s introduction to Cera. With Youth in Revolt, most of the film relies on Cera to do what he does best but to also break that mold. This comes across exceptionally with any sequence involving Nick and Francois. While Nick may appear predictable, Francois is the antithesis to this character and the film relishes in his glory.
The rest of the cast is great as well. With supporting roles by Justin Long, Ray Liotta and Zach Galifianakis, they each entertain bizarre circumstances for Nick in their respective encounters. The real standout is easily Portia Doubleday as Sheeni Saunders. Her character’s admiration of all things French is only exemplified by Doubleday’s resemblance to the beauties that used to grace the films of Jean-Luc Goddard. Some of my favorite moments with Doubleday are when Francois counter plays her teasing of Nick. In these instances, any assumed idea the audience may have as to what is at stake is no longer certain. Doubleday is a remarkable young talent and this film is a perfect platform for her. Hopefully this isn’t the last that we see of this young actress.
Another thing to mention is that the art design in Youth in Revolt is visually entertaining. There are many sequences throughout that present stylized breaks from the hyper-tense reality created from Payne’s original material. With these breaks, the film feels at home with its cinematic peers like Art School Confidential, Dangerous Lives of Altar Boys, American Splendor and several others.
Youth in Revolt is a great tale that maintains a steady pace filled with stellar beats and laughs. Some of my favorite movie-watching experiences are when you can enter a familiar universe and become enraptured in this place. You share similar loves and beliefs with the characters but it’s the little quirks that surround these characters that make the experience that much more delightful. I’m excited to see this again and I’ll be intrigued to see what is the next adaptation taken from the banks of underground literature.
Movie Title: Youth in Revolt
Actors: Michael Cera, Portia Doubleday, Zach Galifianakis, Steve Buscemi, Fred Willard, Ray Liotta and Justin Long
Writers: Gustin Nash (adaptation screenplay), C.D. Payne (source material)
Director: Miguel Arteta
Reviewer: Shannon Cleary
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