EVERYONE GETS OLD. NOT EVERYONE GROWS UP.
37-year-old, once successful young-adult writer Mavis Gary (Charlize Theron) returns to her small Minnesota hometown with a mission: to woo her high-school boyfriend (Patrick Wilson), even though he’s a happily married dad. Jason Reitman reunited with Juno (2007) screenwriter Diablo Cody for another comedy, this time about a seemingly grown-up person who can’t let go of her teen hangups. It’s one thing if she’s predictable but the movie doesn’t have to be; we know exactly where this is headed, which is a problem. Still entertaining, uncomfortably relevant at times, and Theron and Patton Oswalt are great.
2011-U.S. 93 min. Color.Ā Directed byĀ Jason Reitman.Ā Screenplay:Ā Diablo Cody.Ā Cast:Ā Charlize Theron (Mavis Gary), Patton Oswalt (Matt Freehauf), Patrick Wilson (Buddy Slade), Elizabeth Reaser, Jill Eikenberry, Mary Beth Hurt.Ā Voice ofĀ J.K. Simmons.