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 & PRINCE HARRY CAUGHT HUGGING

Charlize Theron & Prince Harry on Marie Claire UK

Prince Harry and Charlize Theron were spotted exchanging hugs this weekend at the Audi Challenge Charity Polo Cup in Berkshire. In addition to being big supporters of the fight against HIV in Africa, you might recall that Theron is said to be in talks to play Harry’s late Mother, Princess Diana in an upcoming Biopic for which details are still being kept under wraps.

Perhaps research for the role at long last is beginning?  Theron's schedule appears to have freed-up a bit since she is no longer attached to Snow White and the Huntsman 3-D, which films in Montreal.

There is lots of buzz surrounding Theron’s next Film Young Adult from Director Jason Reitman, whose last three Features have premiered at TIFF. Perhaps we’ll be seeing Theron in Toronto this September?

See the Photos of Theron and Prince Harry at Marie Claire UK.

(Photo credit: Marie Claire/Rex Features)

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.)