REVIEW: "YOUNG ADULT"

Still from Young Adult

Divorced, depressed and possibly alcoholic Teen-Fiction Ghostwriter Mavis (Charlize Theron) decides to return to her Hometown of Mercury after failing to find inspiration for her latest Book. After receiving an E-mail announcing the birth of her Ex-boyfriend Buddy's (Patrick Wilson) Daughter, she tries rekindling a Romance with him knowing fully that he is married to his Wife Beth (Elizabeth Reaser). Mavis however, is convinced that he is miserable and feels she would be liberating him. Along the way, she crosses paths with a crippled Matt (Patton Oswalt), whom she paid little mind to in High School where she was a popular Mean Girl. Together they form an unlikely friendship, bonding over Alcohol as Mavis continues her mission to sabotage Buddy's marriage.

Writer Diablo Cody and Director Jason Reitman who both brought us 2007's superb Juno, reunite once again for Young Adult.  Although the results aren't quite as compelling as the first time around, this still is an interesting Character Study which is three-parts darkly humorous and one-part heartfelt.

Admittedly it is challenging to root for someone as negative, narcissistic and cruel as Mavis, but Theron sells us on her completely.  She takes us on a learning experience where even though we don't see her grow necessarily, we still do see her discover herself after seeing some buried regrets in her life  unraveled.  This definitely is the Oscar Winner's best work in quite some time, helping us forget some of her more recent misfires.  Oswalt also finally gets his coveted Plum Role here and is a delight to watch as a damaged soul who never quite got-over his High School traumas. 

Paramount Pictures' Young Adult is now in-theatres and although might not be for all, it is a good kind of strange. 

GEORGE STROUMBOULOPOULOS PREMIERES "YOUNG ADULT" IN TORONTO

Diablo Cody & Jason Reitman at TIFF 2009

Surprise! After one week of publicizing what would be known only as the #SecretMovie on Twitter, this evening at TIFF Bell Lightbox, CBC Personality/Hunk George Stroumboulopoulos finally revealed before approximately 1,000 Moviegoers at 7:30 PM tonight that it would be none other than Jason Reitman's latest Film, Young Adult being premiered.  The turnout had been so overwhelming that two theatres had to be utilized to meet the demand of those who queued for hours in what can be called a v. successful social media marketing experiment.

Joining-in on the surprise were the same Director/Writer Duo behind Oscar-winning 2007 Comedy Juno, Jason Reitman and Diablo Cody, dropping by to introduce the Film and a Q&A afterward.  The Dramedy stars Charlize Theron a Teen-Fiction Writer who returns to her Hometown in hopes of recapturing the heart of her High School Sweetheart played by Patrick Wilson, who just happens to now be married. She reunites with another High School Buddy played by Patton Oswalt, who also has never quite gotten over his High School phase.  Young Adult will be released by Paramount Pictures in Limited Release on December 9, 2011.  Word is TIFF Bell Lightbox will be playing the Film.

Toronto Screeners had mostly positive things to say about Young Adult, with much praise learning towards Oscar Winner Theron for her performance as Mavis and also Oswalt.  See what they said:

@leoraheilbronn Tweets, "No Oscars here. Excellent turn by Charlize though."

@sajak555 Tweets, "Kinda odd, but enjoyed it."

@CFCCreates Tweets, "YOUNG ADULT was stellar! @JasonReitman @diablocody should be proud!".

Brad Tweets, "They should stop marketing this as a Comedy.  Theron and Oswalt were great. I'm a fan of Diablo Cody (mostly United States of Tara), but this felt very different, odd even.".

Watch the Trailer for Young Adult below:

CHARLIZE THERON TAPPED TO STAR IN REITMAN/CODY'S YOUNG ADULT

Stunning Charlize Theron has been rather quiet of late but this will step thrust her back in the spotlight in no time. Director Jason Reitman (Up in the Air, Juno) and screenwriter Diablo Cody (Juno, The United States of Tara) are reuniting after much success together with 2007's Juno. Deadline.com reports that their new project Young Adult will star Oscar winner Theron, who will play a Ghost Writer of novels for young adults. Feeling a loss of self-identity, she decides to reunite with some of her High School friends and try to fulfill some of the dreams they had which never came true. The film will be a joint production between Mandate Pictures and John Malkovich's Mr. Mudd. Production tentatively is set to begin this November.

As an aside, Cody just welcomed a new baby boy into this world last week named Marcello Daniel Maurio and I did get to meet her at TIFF last fall when she was promoting Jennifer's Body.  I can confirm she's just delightful. I'm baffled how she divides her time between all these projects and balancing being a mother!

(Photo credit: Mr. Will-W.)

TIFF DAY 3 - HUGH HEFNER BIOPIC REVIEW

Day three of TIFF has been the most exciting yet! I wound up not going to see the new Almodovar film Broken Embraces after all and will wait for its theatrical release December 11, 2009. My friend Cathy and I decided to scope out the Press Conference for the new Michael Douglas film Solitary Man. Douglas who arrived a little groggy but nonetheless co-operative, did a round of photos and autographs. He even posed for a quick photograph for me as per request and signed my copy of Fatal Attraction (best. movie. ever.)!

Shortly after, the celebfest continued with George Clooney promoting his second film at this year's TIFF titled Up In The Air. The film, directed by Jason Reitman (Juno), screens at Ryerson Theatre tonight. And get this, I even tagged along for a photo with Clooney along with my TIFF friend S! Too hot for words!

I also got to chat quickly with Jason Bateman who also stars in Up In The Air and as expected, he was very approachable, adding his signature to my DVD copy of Juno which Diablo Cody had signed yesterday. If this weren't enough, Reitman arrived shortly after and a third signature was added to the DVD. The collection will be complete when Juno alumni Jennifer Garner, Ellen Page and Michael Cera all arrive later this week.

Cathy and I trekked down to Elgin Theatre to catch Oscar-winning director Brigitte Berman's documentary based on the life of Playboy founder Hugh Hefner. The Canadian-funded film, titled Hugh Hefner: Playboy, Activist and Rebel is an in-depth look at Hefner's active involvement in policitics, philanthropy and social activism. The film wasn't so much a look at his personal life persay, as much as it was about the great things he did. Regardless, it was fascinating.

TIFF DAY 2

Just taking a quick break after an afternoon of Press Conference gawking. It was amazing getting up close and personal with Amanda Seyfried (again!), Diablo Cody (again!), Megan Fox (!!!), Jeff Bridges, Scott Bakula... Matt Damon (!!!!) and get this, George Clooney (!!!!!!!). It was mass pandemonium for the latter two.

Damon was extremely kind posing for photographs and signing as many autographs as he could, as was the case with Clooney who arrived today with a cast on his right hand. Not quite sure what the story is there but he is truly amazing. I was lucky enough to get both Damon's and Clooney's signatures also. Gratuitous.

My good friend Josh is going to squeal when he receives my personalized copy of Transformers: The Movie signed by Fox herself. Happy Early Birthday!

Check out these photos I got below:

Off to attend the gala for Steve Soderbergh's The Informant!, starring Damon. For those of you in the Toronto area, I'll be on CTV/CP24 around 9 PM EST as their TIFF correspondent, so don't forget to tune in! I was on earlier today being interviewed by George Lagogianes and that segment should also be on loop throughout the day.

xW

TIFF DAY 1 - AN EDUCATION REVIEW

The Toronto International Film Festival kicked off today and excitement has lit up the city. I caught the opening gala of An Education at Ryerson Theatre tonight. The film is rapidly catching fire after earning consistently strong reviews across the board at both the Sundance and Venice Film Festivals. Directed by Lone Scherfig, the film takes place in suburban London in the '60s and stars newcomer Carey Mulligan as Jenny, in what is arguably the breakthrough performance of the year. Jenny is a 16 year old girl who gets courted by a wealthy playboy twice her age, David (played by Peter Sarsgaard). She sacrifices her bid for acceptance at Oxford University in the name of love and soon gains "an education" on the importance of having one's own dream. Also, Alfred Molina's performance as Jenny's father was outstanding. Superb. Grade: A

Here are some pics I got from the gala for An Education below and luckily, I had a few moments to chat with Mulligan about her uncomfortable choice of footwear which made her laugh out loud. Also in attendance Slumdog Millionaire director Danny Boyle and Mamma Mia/Mean Girls star Amanda Seyfried, the latter who I also got to chat with briefly. Sweet girl.

I was anticipating seeing Penelope Cruz tonight at the gala for Pedro Almodovar's latest film Broken Embraces, but had little luck. She arrived at her gala very late and the public was kept very distant from the talent at Elgin Theatre. Word is that she's been out and about around Yorkville shopping. Seeing that I live in the area, I'll keep those fingers crossed for a chance encounter perhaps.

All eyes were on Megan Fox this evening at Ryerson Theatre for the midnight madness screening of Jennifer's Body. Directed by Karyn Kusama and written by Diablo Cody (Juno), fans of Fox camped out at the venue from midday onwards for a chance to see Hollywood's hottest new starlet. She did not disappoint either, arriving shortly after 11:30 PM. Fox stole the spotlight quickly from co-stars Amanda Seyfried and Adam Brody who were very punctual, arriving an hour early. I managed only to snap one shot of Fox, but it came out pretty well considering the manic circumstances. Cody was also very gracious to pose for a photograph for me. Enjoy the photos below:

I'll be attending the gala for The Informant! tomorrow night starring Matt Damon, in what critics are calling his career-defining performance and possibly Jane Campion's new film Bright Star afterwards. Will be spending the day scoping out some Press Conferences and hopefully be bringing you some more gorgeous photos of Megan Fox!

Night!


xW