By: Holley Sinn

Verdict: Approved

Despite the "R" rating on Miguel Arteta's "Youth in Revolt", I was sort of expecting a cutsie love story about a guy who tries to be a bad boy to win over a sweet but mischievious church girl in a trailer park in California.  I thought this because it is basically how Michael Cera described the story...and I suppose it's relatively accurate.  However, "cutsie" isn't exactly the appropriate word for this film.  Instead, I'm going with - edgy, crass, indecent, politically incorrect, and pretty darn hilarious. 

Michael Cera stars as Nick Twisp, a frustrated teenager whose mother, played by Jean Smart, is dating a trashy, married idiot named Jerry, played by Nick Galifinakis, and whose father, played by Steve Buscemi, is dating a 25 year-old, played by Ari Graynor, who prances around in skimpy outfits.  When some angry sailors show up looking for Jerry, the family takes a short summer trip to a trailer park where Nick meets and falls in love with a mysterious francophile named Sheeni, played by Portia Doubleday.

Nick swears to find his way back to Sheeni's hometown, but to do it, he must get himself kicked out of his house.  He develops an alter-ego named Francois Dillinger who compels him to basically burn down half of downtown Berkley.  Luckily, his mother begins dating a cop who volunteers to protect Nick from arrest and ultimately helps him accomplish his goal by getting Nick kicked out of the house.  However, once Nick arrives, Sheeni is gone...sent off to a French prep school by her ultra-conservative parents who don't want her spending time with a juvenile delinquent.

Nick's plans seemingly continue to unravel as a trip to the French boarding school goes terrible wrong, Nick and his new best friend wind up in their underwear with Fred Willard, Justin Long introduces Nick's father's girlfriend to illegal drugs, and the cops get wise to the whole Berkley fire incident.  However, the question this film poses is whether any situation is truly terrible if it helps lay the groundwork for an eventual triumphant end.

This clever little film is perfect for an early January opening.  It isn't going to win any awards or cause massive lines at the theater, but the acting is stellar...the dialogue is witty and charming...and there are moments of sheer hilarity from both the primary and supporting cast.  However, it should once again be pointed out that "Youth in Revolt" is rated "R" and should not be viewed by children or even young teenagers.  It's full of sexual content, drug use and language. 

As an aside, the soundtrack is terrific.  The full songlist can be found by clicking here!