Young Adult

2011 • 93 minutes
3.4
418 reviews
80%
Tomatometer
R
Rating
Eligible
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About this movie

Academy Award® winner Charlize Theron stars as Mavis Gary, a 37-year-old former prom queen, and current writer of young adult novels, who returns home to relive her glory days and win back her now-married high school sweetheart. When she finds her homecoming more challenging than expected, Mavis forms an unusual bond with a former classmate and both must face the harsh realities of growing up in this brilliant and bittersweet story critics are hailing as a "one-of-a kind comedy"* and "quirky, funny, heartfelt."** *Lisa Schwarzbaum, Entertainment Weekly** Manny, DeLa Rose, NBC TV
Rating
R

Ratings and reviews

3.4
418 reviews
SM Potts
March 20, 2021
Well written, acted and directed character study. Mavis Gary, has done okay for herself, ghost-writing for a Young Adult book series. But, in her late 30's, and the series ending, she decides to take a trip back to her small town home, and win back her happily married, high-school boyfriend. The most beautiful girl in 2 counties, she still has people who worship her, but no friends left behind. She cannot see how foolish she looks, like watching a train wreck in slow motion.
ecwcwwf
June 23, 2014
Forget the plot for just a moment & focus on the soundtrack. If you like/remember alternative rock, then there's your reason to give this movie a try. I do find it ironic that they didn't choose to make the main character resemble Courtney Love's personality. That would've complimented the movie's music & plot theme. Bottom line, I think this movie's demographic is aging Gen-Xers who are stuck in the past & unhappy with life. If that describes you, then this movie is worth a look.
A Google user
June 28, 2012
Small town girl moves to the city escaping her backwood existence... only to find herself lonely& complacent doomed to delivery food & boozing solo to reality TV reruns . What real life is like between sweet home who hates you for leaving & outgrowing them & an episode of sex in the city. Reality can be rather delusional and before you know it ur too far gone yet haven't made it near far enough.
15 people found this review helpful