Michael Cera finally breaks coming-of-age mold in ‘Youth in Revolt’

“Youth in Revolt” seems to be a movie most people have made up their minds on, and 9 times out of 10 because of the protagonist, Michael Cera. Cera’s been a large presence in teen-comedy movies in recent years, always playing the prototype angst-ridden teenager with girl problems.

For those who love Cera and even those who hate him, “Youth in Revolt” is worth seeing.

The film revolves around Cera’s character, Nick Twisp, a young and miserable male with an incredible love for Frank Sinatra, obscure films and writing. He goes through life in a general malaise with his equally miserable friend until a trip with his divorced mother (Jean Smart) leads him to a small trailer park where he meets his obscure counterpart, Sheenie Saunders (Portia Doubleday).

After falling in love, the two are split by Twisp’s return home. Bound to return to Sheenie and run away forever, he creates an edgy alter-ego named Francois Dillinger (a mental projection of a blue-eyed, mustached radical that often joins Twisp onscreen) in order to give him the guts to act dangerously, get kicked out and be free to pursue his love.

Though Cera plays his same general role as Twisp, he seems to have evolved in his comedic acting. When Dillinger joins him onscreen, you feel a serious sense of menace, and when he speaks, the words flow naturally and powerfully, much unlike Cera’s previous work.

“Youth in Revolt,” while standing as an incredibly well-crafted comedy, is a bit racy for a good many audiences; as with nearly every modern youth-comedy, you’ll have to wade through plenty of innuendo and obscenity to get to the really witty gems of speech. This film is incredibly entertaining and masterfully paced.

3.5 out of 5 stars

A Dimension Films Production

Directed by Miguel Arteta

Starring Michael Cera, Portia Doubleday,

Jean Smart and Steve Buscemi

Rated R for sexual content, language and drug use