After graduating as one of the prettiest, most revered girls in high school, Mavis Gary (Charlize Theron) moved from small-town Minnesota to metropolitan Minneapolis, destined for big things. But the self-absorbed 37-year-old's life has amounted to little more than connecting the dots on the series of formulaic young adult novels she helps to author.
With her next deadline looming, a frustrated Mavis receives an email from her old boyfriend Buddy (Patrick Wilson) and his wife Beth (Elizabeth Reaser) announcing the birth of their baby, and is inexplicably spurred to win her high school sweetheart back.
Returning to her old stomping ground, Mavis forms an unlikely union with former classmate Matt (Patton Oswalt), who has been left scarred, both physically and emotionally, by a vicious attack years previously. Despite his best efforts to steer Mavis away from her delusional dream, she grows more determined to seduce Buddy and take back what she believes is rightfully hers.
Juno director Jason Reitman reteams with that film's writer Diablo Cody for this deliciously dark comedy drama featuring a fabulous lead performance from Theron. While the Oscar-winning Monster actress has never shied away from playing unlikeable characters, Mavis Gary must go down as one of the most wonderfully wicked anti-heroines in recent years. Your enjoyment of this low-key treat may depend on how far you can get on board with her supremely selfish quest, still, Cody's script is peppered with shockingly funny scenes and moments of real poignancy as Mavis emerges as a tragically fascinating character clinging blindly to her glory days.
Young Adult is a Film programme that first aired in 2011 and has been classified a 15 certificate.
