"Youth in Revolt" may have the seed of a good movie somewhere inside itself, but the film is just too slow-moving and tepid for my taste. I have to admit to walking out of the theater after only an hour.
Once again I was led astray by a far too favorable review in the NY Times, this time by film critic Manohla Dargis, who described the film as a "sweet and slight and often charming coming-of-age tale ..." Well, she was certainly right about the "slight" part.
As for coming of age, Michael Cera may have a youthful visage, but he was at least 21 when he played the 17/18-year old character in this film. Two or three years may not seem like much, but Cera was obviously more mature than his screen character was supposed to be. One can say somewhat the same for the very pretty Portia Doubleday, who also was playing a high school-aged character.
The only highlights of the film for me were the brief appearances by Steve Buscemi, Fred Willard, M. Emmet Walsh, and especially by Ray Liotta. Now there is a group of guys who definitely look their ages! Cameos, though, do not make a movie.
Once again I was led astray by a far too favorable review in the NY Times, this time by film critic Manohla Dargis, who described the film as a "sweet and slight and often charming coming-of-age tale ..." Well, she was certainly right about the "slight" part.
As for coming of age, Michael Cera may have a youthful visage, but he was at least 21 when he played the 17/18-year old character in this film. Two or three years may not seem like much, but Cera was obviously more mature than his screen character was supposed to be. One can say somewhat the same for the very pretty Portia Doubleday, who also was playing a high school-aged character.
The only highlights of the film for me were the brief appearances by Steve Buscemi, Fred Willard, M. Emmet Walsh, and especially by Ray Liotta. Now there is a group of guys who definitely look their ages! Cameos, though, do not make a movie.