This film is not pretending to be a Disney happy ending, feelgood film, and in fact, Charlize Theron's self absorbed Mavis is barely likable throughout the film. However, the story does deliver in a darkly comedic way. Mavis, although mostly despicable, is absolutely absorbing. Viewers will recognise traits in her character in others they have known through their lives. Her character, a writer of teen literature, returns to her small hometown to relive her glory days and attempts to reclaim her happily married high school sweetheart.
My concerns were mainly selfish also, would I relate too well with the Mavis character and her attempts at prolonging adolescence? Similar age group, loves young adult fiction (wannabe writer of it right here!), can't let go of the past (remember I was the one that went to see Vengaboys last week!!), still have a crush on my high school boyfriend etc and then while I was watching the film there were another couple of alarming similarities, like her love of diet coke and the golf she drove in the 90's (same as me!) Anyway, don't think I will spend too much time dwelling on all of that........
Patton Oswalt, who plays Matt, a character also stuck in a not so happy life dwelling on his high school days but for very different reasons, was great in this role. He is a character that deserves our sympathy and we wish more for him than we know he will end up receiving.
And special mention to Patrick Wilson, who mostly always plays the nice guy, does it well and is a bit of a spunk. (check out his new tv series on Ch 10 'A Gifted Man' it's not too bad)
so, will you like this film? It's bleak but there are laugh out loud moments and it is a great study of human behaviour. So, if you don't need to be uplifted, and you like your films a little dark, then I think this could be for you.
