Movie Monday August 28: Youth in Revolt

A friend of mine hosts a movie night for underrated and obscure films, which is where I watched my pick this week, Youth in Revolt. It’s from an era of quippy teen rom-coms, many of which (including this one) star Michael Cera.

**Warning, mild spoilers ahead, so if you haven’t watched the movie yet, what are you doing?**

Nick Twisp (Michael Cera) laments his life in Oakland, California. He lives with his mother, Estelle (Jean Smart), and her boyfriend Jerry (Zach Galifianakis) while his divorced father George (Steve Buscemi) lives nearby. The one constant thought that plagues his mind is when he’ll lose his virginity. When Jerry sells a faulty car to three sailors he takes Nick and Estelle to Clearlake to lay low. There Nick meets Sheeni (Portia Doubleday) and is immediately infatuated with her. They bond over their similar taste in music and her love of all things French. Though she has a boyfriend, Sheeni and Nick get involved. He even buys a dog for her, which he has to take when her religious parents consider it a hellbeast. When Nick returns to Oakland, the pair plot how they can be together again. Sheeni arranges for George to get a job in nearby Ukiah and Nick plans to get kicked out of his mom’s house. Enter François Dillinger, Nick’s rebellious alter-ego. François and Nick cause trouble, including blowing up “half of Berkeley” and mouthing off to his mother and her new boyfriend. Once in Ukiah, Nick learns that Sheeni has been sent to a boarding school in Santa Cruz. Determined to be together, he and his new friend Vijay (Adair Kalyan) sneak into the school, though they are soon found by the matron. Nick then tries to get Sheeni kicked out by convincing another student to drug her so she sleeps in class. Soon, however, Nick’s crimes catch up to him. Still as in love with Sheeni as ever, he fights his way back into her good graces before he can be arrested. The couple later reunited after Nick spends three months in juvenile detention.

So What Do I Think?

Youth in Revolt is reminiscent of many other Michael Cera movies, with irreverent comedy, quirky characters, and the ever elusive “manic pixie dream girl”. It’s a fun and silly flick, one that brings nostalgia for many millennials. It reminds me of Juno, Nick and Nora’s Infinite Playlist, and Charlie Bartlett. What’s interesting is that there is some overlap between those movies, sharing some actors and screenwriters. Though some are better than others, I think Youth in Revolt falls somewhere in the middle. It’s funny and witty, but isn’t a movie I could rewatch again and again. Though I wouldn’t be against a second screening.

I think one element that makes this movie as good as it is is the cast. The comedic talent ranges from icons Fred Willard and Steve Buscemi to Justin Long and Ari Graynor. There’s even a small appearance by a young Rooney Mara. Though it’s not to everyone’s taste, I enjoy the hilarious one-liners and teen angst style comedy. I especially loved the juxtaposition between Nick and François, showing that yes, Michael Cera does have some range. 

Youth in Revolt is also an adaptation of a novel of the same name. In fact, there’s a whole series of books based on Nick Twisp and his alter-ego. Though I’m probably considered too old for them now, young me would’ve liked those books. 

One moment that made me laugh:

There are so many hilarious moments and lines in the film, but one sequence that had great comedic timing from start to finish is when Nick, as François, antagonizes his mother and her boyfriend over breakfast. It’s snarky and quippy and topped off with what I can only call the perfect cereal bowl flip. I definitely preferred François’s comedy over Nick’s. I can only take so much awkward cringe, but the “smart” comedy of François balances it out.

Overall I’d give Youth in Revolt 6 Michael Cera mustaches out of 10.