Devil's DVD Disappointment: Youth in Revolt

Cera grows a mustache despite the rumors.

Young men will always in their innocence believe that they can make a difference; that they can make their own mark in this world. Youth in Revolt is a traditional coming of age film with a familiar twist; the nice guy trying not to finish last. Surprisingly funny at times, the film fails to maintain those moments for long periods of time.

For better or worse the film is Michael Cera as Nick Twisp; a sensitive, very intellegent and yes lovestuck virgin, who in attempting to remedy this situation comes up with a plan.  Don’t think I’m giving anything away as this is the character we have come to know from his previous films.  The film gives us an oppertunity to see how Cera would handle a different personality in Francois, who is meant to be the alter ego to Nick.  While there are moments that Cera stretches out of his comfort zone, Francois is simply Nick with a fake moustache.  His character relies on anticts we have seen in Superbad to make his mark and prove himself worthy of the object of his desire Sheeni Saunders (played by newcomer Portia Doubleday).  The other actors in the movie leave no real impression excespt for Portia. As Sheeni Saunders, she  does an excellent job in her limited role as a teenage temptress who is not as innocent as she appears on the surface.

In whole Youth in Revolt is a film that if made a few years ago may have pushed the envolope, but today feels tired and dated.  Many of the “A” Listed actors on the movie poster get little to no air time and the story gets bogged down in obviousness.  Simply middle of the road.

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