Film: Easy A
Starring: Emma Stone (Superbad and Zombieland), Amanda Bynes (Hairspray) and Stanley Tucci (The Lovely Bones)
U.S. Release: 2010 (rated PG-13)
Director: Will Gluck (Fired Up)
Genre: Comedy
Runtime: 92 minutes
Where do I begin? The trailer for Will Gluck's charming comedy, Easy A, left me feeling as though I had "been there, done that". However, as I was leaving the theatre, I realized that the film is anything but your typical teen comedy. Emma Stone (Superbad) stars as Olive, a bright and mature high school student, who starts a rumor that spirals out of control. Olive's tale about losing her virginity prompts a fellow homosexual student, Brandon, to ask her for a huge favor. He knows that if he can convince everyone in school that he slept with Olive, the rumors about his homosexuality will subside. But once you open a door like that, you have to be sure of the consequences.
Easy A is clever and witty to say the least. It's large appeal resides in the beauty of its characters. Sure, Emma Stone does a wonderful job portraying the modern day Hester Prynne (from The Scarlet Letter), but the entire cast lends more than a helping hand. The true beauty of Easy A lies in the fact that the collaboration of its characters far exceeds the sum of its parts. Amanda Bynes also gives a noteworthy performance as Marianne, the ultra-conservative religious nut, who tries to impose her beliefs on Olive. However, despite being a teen comedy, Stanley Tucci and Patricia Clarkson (playing Olive's parents) truly steal the film. Throughout Easy A, it's evident that every character is lovable, and, more importantly, dependent upon one another. The chemistry of the cast is unmatched by any teen comedy film I've ever seen.
Easy A has been in theatres for almost a month now, and I'm sure that it is on its way out. That being said, if you can't make the effort to see it on the big screen, make note of the movie, and be sure to check it out on DVD. It'll be worth it in the end.
Watch Easy A if you enjoyed: American Pie. Will Gluck's film doesn't quite keep up with the comedic masterpiece, but it's a fun tale of sex and the teenage mind. It also has a good message or two.
Stars: 3 out of 4
Starring: Emma Stone (Superbad and Zombieland), Amanda Bynes (Hairspray) and Stanley Tucci (The Lovely Bones)
U.S. Release: 2010 (rated PG-13)
Director: Will Gluck (Fired Up)
Genre: Comedy
Runtime: 92 minutes
Where do I begin? The trailer for Will Gluck's charming comedy, Easy A, left me feeling as though I had "been there, done that". However, as I was leaving the theatre, I realized that the film is anything but your typical teen comedy. Emma Stone (Superbad) stars as Olive, a bright and mature high school student, who starts a rumor that spirals out of control. Olive's tale about losing her virginity prompts a fellow homosexual student, Brandon, to ask her for a huge favor. He knows that if he can convince everyone in school that he slept with Olive, the rumors about his homosexuality will subside. But once you open a door like that, you have to be sure of the consequences.
Easy A is clever and witty to say the least. It's large appeal resides in the beauty of its characters. Sure, Emma Stone does a wonderful job portraying the modern day Hester Prynne (from The Scarlet Letter), but the entire cast lends more than a helping hand. The true beauty of Easy A lies in the fact that the collaboration of its characters far exceeds the sum of its parts. Amanda Bynes also gives a noteworthy performance as Marianne, the ultra-conservative religious nut, who tries to impose her beliefs on Olive. However, despite being a teen comedy, Stanley Tucci and Patricia Clarkson (playing Olive's parents) truly steal the film. Throughout Easy A, it's evident that every character is lovable, and, more importantly, dependent upon one another. The chemistry of the cast is unmatched by any teen comedy film I've ever seen.
Easy A has been in theatres for almost a month now, and I'm sure that it is on its way out. That being said, if you can't make the effort to see it on the big screen, make note of the movie, and be sure to check it out on DVD. It'll be worth it in the end.
Watch Easy A if you enjoyed: American Pie. Will Gluck's film doesn't quite keep up with the comedic masterpiece, but it's a fun tale of sex and the teenage mind. It also has a good message or two.
Stars: 3 out of 4
Film: It's Kind of a Funny Story
Starring: Keir Gilchrist and Zach Galifianakis (The Hangover and Dinner For Schmucks)
U.S. Release: 2010 (rated PG-13)
Director: Anna Boden (Sugar) and Ryan Fleck (Half Nelson)
Genre: Comedy
Runtime: 91 minutes
Director's Ryan Fleck and Anna Boden are known for their interpretations of serious, real life matters. It's evident in their prior works such as Sugar and Half Nelson. Both of which follow main characters struggling deeply in their everyday lives. It's Kind of a Funny Story is no exception. Fitting right into Fleck and Boden's template, we are introduced to Craig (played by Gilchrist). Craig's a 16 year old adolescent who can't seem to cope with the stress of finding a girlfriend and getting into the right college. Having been deeply depressed for some time now, the movie begins with Craig's latest dream about jumping off of a bridge ending quite differently then usual. Distressed by his nightmare, the teenager drives to the emergency room and begs his doctor to help him out immediately. Such demands land Craig in an in-patient psych ward, which proves to be more than he bargained for.
It's Kind of a Funny Story blends its own sort of naive elegance with stylistic situational comedy. However, the laughs aren't as memorable as the awkwardness surrounding the main character, Craig. I'm roughly ten years out of high school, and yet I still found it difficult to relate to the severity of Craig's problems. The irony reiterated throughout the film is Craig sees a distinction between himself and most of the other patients at the ward, but as an outsider looking in, we see many similarities. Through his interactions with fellow lunatic Bobby (played by Galifianakis), Craig learns to differentiate between things he can and can't control. Which ultimately turns out to be a great moral for a teenage-depression story.
There are plenty of aspects to appreciate in It's Kind of a Funny Story. It's raw, emotional delivery and positive message are all praiseworthy components of the film. On the other hand, the movie lacked in dialogue and storyline. There are moments during the picture where the scene is meant to evoke a certain feeling from the audience, and you're left unconvinced. As a comedy, it underachieved. As a drama, it was mediocre.
Watch It's Kind of a Funny Story if you enjoyed: Garden State. There are countless similarities in the main characters.
Stars: 1.5 out of 4.
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