Young Adult

An impressive departure for both Jason Reitman and Diablo Cody, Young Adult follows Charlize Theron’s Mavis Gary, an emotionally-stunted and depressive author of adolescent fare, as she impulsively decides to return to her hometown after discovering that high school sweetheart Buddy (Patrick Wilson) has just had a baby – with the film, for the most part, detailing Mavis’ efforts at winning Buddy back and also her growing bond with a former classmate (Patton Oswalt’s Matt). It’s clear right from the get-go that Reitman and Cody have little interest in returning to the comedic, off-kilter landscape of their breakout film, 2007’s Juno, as Young Adult immediately establishes itself as a low-key character study that often goes to unexpectedly (and impressively) dark places. The movie’s most potent weapon is, without question, Theron’s consistently engrossing performance, with the actress’ fearless, go-for-broke turn initially capturing the viewer’s interest and ultimately ensuring that Mavis, despite her less-than-sunny personality, becomes a compelling (and surprisingly sympathetic) figure. (Oswalt, cast as a put-upon geek who remains haunted by his high school experiences, is nothing short of a revelation, as his work here is miles beyond anything he’s done before.) Reitman’s subdued approach certainly proves an ideal complement to Cody’s episodic screenplay, and while the film is occasionally just a little too uneventful for its own good, Young Adult boasts an increasingly captivating third act that culminates in a showstopping sequence that’s as enthralling as it is cringeworthy. The decidedly unpredictable ending cements the movie’s place as a seriously divisive piece of work, and it’s finally impossible to recall a more impressive leap forward for either a screenwriter or a director in recent memory.

***1/2 out of ****