Youth in Revolt
2009 · Directed by Miguel Arteta
Original language: English
- comedy
- romance
- drama
The story
As a fan of Albert Camus and Jean-Luc Godard, teenage Nick Twisp is definitely out of his element when his mother and her boyfriend move the family to a trailer park. When a pretty neighbor named Sheeni plays records by French crooners, it's love at first sight for frustrated and inexperienced Nick. Learning that she is dating someone, Nick launches a hilarious quest to find his way into Sheeni's heart -- and bed.
What it’s like
Bright, washed-out Californian daylight over sun-faded trailer parks and beige suburban cul-de-sacs, with a flat, deadpan camera that favours medium shots and held reaction beats over flashy movement. The palette leans sandy, pastel and slightly sour, and the sound design is a bouncy mix of tinny French crooner records, lo-fi indie guitar and a lightly comic score that snaps into a hush for the tender moments. The vibe is wry, bittersweet and cheerfully awkward, a comedy with a melancholy undertow that suits a lazy weekend afternoon, a long-haul flight or a comfort rewatch with a snack. Pacing is brisk and talky, with jokes landing in quick succession, and the emotional register swings between farce and sincerity as a sheltered, pretentious teenage boy slowly learns to say what he means and to fight for something real. Intensity is low: there is some sexual innuendo and frank teenage talk, a few crude gags, and occasional mild peril and bullying, but no real gore and nothing truly harsh. It is for viewers who enjoy sharp, self-aware teen comedy with a soft heart and a love of arch, bookish humour.
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