| Charlize Theron | , Mavis Gary |
| Patton Oswalt | , Matt Freehauf |
| Patrick Wilson | , Buddy Slade |
| Elizabeth Reaser | , Beth Slade |
| Collette Wolfe | Sandra Freehauf |
| Jill Eikenberry | Hedda Gary |
| Richard Bekins | David Gary |
| Mary Beth Hurt | Jan |
| Kate Nowlin | Mary Ellen Trantowski |
| Jenny Dare Paulin | Nipple Confusion Bassist |
| Rebecca Hart | Nipple Confusion Bassist |
| Louisa Krause | Front Desk Girl |
| Elizabeth Ward Land | Sales Lady |
| Brian McElhaney | Book Associate |
| Hettienne Park | Vicki |
| John Forest | Wheelchair Mike |
| Rightor Doyle | Babysitter |
| Brady Smith | Date Man |
| Timothy Young | Champions Server |
| Erin Darke | Teen Employee |
| Jee Young Han | Teen Employee |
| Ella Rae Peck | Girl |
| Aleisha Allen | Girl |
| Matt Wilson | Teenage Clerk |
| Orlagh Cassidy | Party Guest |
| Charles Techman | Parking Attendant |
| Emily Meade | Denny's Waitress |
| Neil Hellegers | Young Dad |
| Michael Nathanson | Champions Greeter |
| Jason Reitman | Director, Producer |
| Michael Ahern | Art Director |
| Jason Blumenfeld | Associate Producer, Asst. Director |
| Diablo Cody | Producer, Screenwriter |
| Linda Cohen | Musical Direction/Supervision |
| Suzanne Smith Crowley | Casting |
| Helen Estabrook | Executive Producer |
| Dana E. Glauberman | Editor |
| Lianne Halfon | Producer |
| Ken Ishii | Sound Mixer |
| Nathan Kahane | Executive Producer |
| Jessica Kelly | Casting |
| Rolfe Kent | Score Composer |
| Beth Kono | Co-producer |
| Kelli Konop | Co-producer |
| Mary Lee | Co-producer |
| John Malkovich | Executive Producer |
| Mason Novick | Producer |
| Steven Rales | Executive Producer |
| David Robinson | Costumes/Costume Designer |
| Russell Smith | Producer |
| Eric Steelberg | Cinematographer |
| Kevin Thompson | Production Designer |
Jason Reitman and Diablo Cody return with a vengeance with their dramatic comedy, Young Adult. Mavis (Charlize Theron), a former “it” girl and successful YA author, is fresh off a divorce and looking to escape her stagnant city life. She heads to her small-town home with hopes of winning back an old high school flame (Patrick Wilson). Here’s the catch: he’s now married and father to a newborn. So what’s a successful girl to do? Throw in a home distillery, a disabled former classmate (Patton Oswalt), a manipulative plan and what do you get? A whole lot of soul-searching. It’s safe to say, I didn't expect Young Adult to be what it was. From the previews I was anticipating a comedic romp. Young Adult, however, is not that type of film.There are touches of comedy but it’s a darker humour that’s inspired more by a dramatic narrative. Cody is masterful at crafting a touching story and I think her writing resonatesbecause she creates such amazingly relatable characters. There is a realness to them and the desperate situations in which they find themselves. These aren’t your average stock character. Each is beautiful, funny, ugly and tragic in their own way. I liked them, I hated them and empathized with them all and that’s what made this movie so memorable.Mavis was that perfect girl in high school, you know the type—the one that all the guys wanted to be with and all the girls wanted to be. To the townies she’s a successful hot-shot living the royal life in the big city. Almost immediately we learn appearances aren’t always what they seem. Mavis has become a neurotic egoist struggling to cope with a crumbling life and dwindling fame. She lacks any sort of moral compass and quickly crosses the line into shallow when she plots stealing her ex. It quickly becomes clear that Mavis has some serious personal issues. Charlize Theron has totally outdone herself and created nothing short of a cinematic masterpiece playing the anti-heroine. She's brilliant at bringing both the depth and range needed to play such a messed up individual. Not many people could pull off this type of role so successfully. The subtle nuances of her performance had me completely riveted and still rooting for Mavis despite how unlikable she is. Matt is the only reasonable person that Mavis hooks up with. In high school he was bullied and abused by people in the popular crowd, and though still bitter, manages to have a firm hold on who he is and what he wants. He is the only one who’s not blinded by Mavis’ fame and doesn’t hold back when trying to bring her back down to reality. In short, it’s hard not to feel sorry for Matt. He’s a pawn that people push around both physically and emotionally and he bears the scars to prove it. Mavis uses him for her own selfish reasons, yet you admire the sense of inner strength he’s gained because of it. He’s somewhat of a dorky character who carries his own personal demons but is altogether still loveable. Oswalt did a phenomenal job conveying the loneliness and wit needed for such a role. He’s the most likable person in the entire movie and I spent the whole time wishing I could give him a hug. I won’t spoil the ending, but believe me, it left me wondering—do people ever really change? We’re not necessarily given the happiest of conclusions but at least it’s a brutally honest one. Reitman, once again, has done wonders at making supremely complicated people seem so utterly fascinating with appropriately timed comedy and engaging dialogue.
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Overview