[Screen It]

 

"YOUNG ADULT"
(2011) (Charlize Theron, Patton Oswalt) (R)


Alcohol/Drugs Extreme
Blood/Gross Stuff Minor
Disrespectful/Bad Attitude Extreme
Frightening/Tense Scenes None
Gun/Weapons None
Imitative Behavior Moderate
Jump Scenes None
Music (Scary/Tense) None
Music (Inappropriate) Mild
Profanity Extreme
Sex/Nudity Heavy
Smoking None
Tense Family Scenes Moderate
Topics to Talk About Extreme
Violence Minor


QUICK TAKE:
Drama: A thirty-something divorced ghostwriter returns to her hometown hoping to steal her ex back from his wife who's just had a baby.
PLOT:
Mavis Gary (CHARLIZE THERON) is a 37-year-old ghostwriter for a popular young adult novel series. She lives in Minneapolis and would seem to have it all, but her only companion -- beyond various forms of alcohol and one-night stands -- is her dog. Her real glory days were back in high school when she was with her boyfriend Buddy Slade (PATRICK WILSON). But he and his wife Beth (ELIZABETH REASER) have just had their first baby, and this unsettles Mavis who thinks she should be in Beth's place.

Accordingly, she packs up her dog and returns to Mercury, Minnesota with the unabashed plan to steal back Buddy and make him hers. That doesn't go unnoticed by her former classmate, Matt Freehauf (PATTON OSWALT), who still bears a limp from being attacked decades earlier in high school. Although he doesn't approve of her actions and despite her previously paying him no attention back in their teenage years, the two become something of unlikely friends. From that point on, she continues on her quest until things eventually come to a head.

WILL KIDS WANT TO SEE IT?
Older teens might be interested in it, as might those who are fans of anyone in the cast. Otherwise, it doesn't seem too likely.
WHY THE MPAA RATED IT: R
For language and some sexual content.
CAST AS ROLE MODELS:
  • CHARLIZE THERON plays a divorced, 37-year-old ghostwriter of young adult novels who returns to her hometown in hopes of stealing...


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