Diablo Cody has been slowly winning over my heart with each script of hers I read or interview I watch. I had read the script for Young Adult awhile back and really enjoyed it, it's simple but has some well done underlying emotion as well. Jason Reitman and Charlize Theron, however, take this movie to the next level and really do the script justice. The movie follows Mavis, a 37 year old fiction writer who's never really grown up since high school, as she returns to her home town to win back an old flame who is now married with a child. It's not a movie for everyone, it's quite dark at times but I really respect Diablo Cody for going with a protagonist that isn't that likable nor faces any real change. For anyone who's grown up in a small town and gotten out of it, I found this movie nailed that aspect. Charlize Theron really personifies the character of Mavis, I couldn't picture anyone else taking on the role. I found myself laughing a lot more than the theater audience I was with, it's definitely a selected humor but the film is full of awkward scenarios and unconventional turns that it's captivating to watch. I feel like it's a movie that will come with very mixed reactions but I personally really enjoyed it.

I'm assuming you didn't see Jennifer's Body kev? not being sarcastic. it's actually a serious question.

I actually liked Jennifer's Body (except when Anita used that cringe inducing hybrid phrase "freaktarded") and had zero expectations going in. It was a perfectly serviceable horror comedy, achieving exactly what it set out to do. I think it just suffered from begrudging backlash towards the writer's over night idolatry and the green eyed hatred of Megan Fox.

I wouldn't prioritise Young Adult at the cinema as I'm not the biggest fan of Charlize Theron but I think Cody has cultivated a relatively unique voice for herself in such a short space of time, so hats off. I hope the film does well.

I'm also in the minority with colkurtz8, I enjoyed Jennifer's Body for what it is, but I get why it was so badly received. However, the two movies are in completely different leagues. Young Adult is a lot more of a mature work.

I really enjoyed Young Adult.  Judging by the trailer, I had assumed that the film was an irresponsible excusing of bad behaviour, when in fact it's an extremely sharp indictment of the way in which many people in my society act today.  A great, nasty little satire with strong performances and a skillfully-handled tone courtesy of Jason Reitman.  There were in my opinion a couple hiccups with the script -- the falling out of two major characters, for example, is extremely forced -- but overall I was very impressed with the film.  

I was really impressed with this, surprisingly. A very hard edged yet poignant film with some excellent performances and a remarkable synergy between writer and director. I feel like if Diablo Cody had written Juno later in her career, she might not have the same reputation. Everything she's worked on has been different and her hipster jargon and references aren't necessarily the stamp she leaves on her stuff.

I particularly enjoyed the relationship between Charlize Theron and Patton Aswalt's characters. I thought it was really sweet and funny and its culmination was really touching and unexpected.

Cody's best work so far and Reitman's best since Thank You For Smoking. Really well done.

A good film but should been a very good film. All the ingredients were there but it fell a little at the final hurdle. I did, however, love the reprieve from actually learning a lesson towards the end when the sycophantic sister validates Theron's empty existence. That change in Theron's face was a pleasure to watch.

The narcissistic ‘Young Adult’ who we accompanied would've been better served by having never been married, IMO. There was a friction created by this that cast doubt on her return to the adolescent behaviour. Yes, I know she obviously wasn’t supposed to be ready for it, but she was beyond not ready and the about turn felt too contrived.

There are a lot of strong themes on play that are hugely resonant to many. The fear of commitment, loathing of your hometown for which we read loathing of yourself, narcissism blinding you to your own inadequacies, alcoholism, and so on.

It was a tough job to explore the obvious depression in this 'Young Adult' sense without it veering into angst, thus cheapening the seriousness of the issue. I think Reitman largely achieved this, which is to be commended.

I agree that the relationship between Theron and Matt struggled for legitimacy at times. The breakdown definitely felt forced, as did the romance. That said, in a way, the way they had it off together is actually quite realistic.

It's definitely worth a look.

I enjoyed the film, but prefer Reitman's other work.
Theron is equal parts magnetic and repulsive in the role.
Exactly how a "ghost writer" would live... sliding into relatable formulas, etc.
She got sick of writing all these tales and wanted to star in one...
I guess that makes her a "ghost liver" in this repsect.

I only wish the rest of the film was on the same level...
But Theron is such a gale force, that would be a car wreck of a cast.
She does get her inner Rupert Pupkin on during the big blow out.

An exemplary character study that outshines the bulk of the content.
But I'll take Reitman's experiments over most folks' A-game.

E.D.

This was was easy to admire, but very difficult to love. And maybe I went in with the wrong expectations. I love Reitman, I love Oswald, and I bleak satires. So why didn't I love this film? Mainly, I HATED Mavis. Hated her throughout the entire damn movie. Not a single redeeming quality. And maybe it's just me, but I felt as though Diablo inserted herself into the character. So the film felt very pretentious to me overall...especially the ending. But I'm probably looking too far deep into it.

Speaking of the ending, the more I hated the ending, the more I realized that I loved it (because I hated it). There's no character arc. Mavis never has some divine revelation. Mavis does not change her wicked ways. In fact, she's more arrogant at the end of the film than she was at the beginning. But that's life. And I know a lot of untalented yet beautiful people who are constantly encouraged by their less beautiful friends and family. and it's disgusting. so maybe i could relate to this film a little too much (since i work in the modeling industry haha).

probably my biggest gripe with the film is that Patrick Wilson and his wife are so goddamn oblivious. Seriously, what wife would allow charlize theron to drive their husband home? it was such a stretch and i really didn't buy the whole "we invited you because you need help" device. Would you let someone else's mental wellbeing come between you and your married spouse? F uck no.

i liked oswald's character but thought the ending was a little too forced. for a film that goes against the grain, it definitely succumbed to expectations. having sex with oswald really wasn't necessary. however i LOVED his bit where he talked about Mavis looking at herself more than him in high school. very poignant.

some great themes in here, but overall I'm a little disappointed.