Youth in Revolt (2009)

While his trailer trash parents teeter on the edge of divorce, Nick Twisp sets his sights on dream girl Sheeni Saunders, hoping that she'll be the one to take away his virginity.

Director:

Miguel Arteta

Writers:

Gustin Nash (screenplay), C.D. Payne (novel)

Stars:

Michael Cera, Portia Doubleday, Ray Liotta

1 win & 1 nomination.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Michael Cera	...	Nick Twisp / Francois
Portia Doubleday	...	Sheeni Saunders
Jean Smart	...	Estelle Twisp
Zach Galifianakis	...	Jerry
Erik Knudsen	...	Lefty
Adhir Kalyan	...	Vijay Joshi
Steve Buscemi	...	George Twisp
Fred Willard	...	Mr. Ferguson
Ari Graynor	...	Lacey
Ray Liotta	...	Lance Wescott
Justin Long	...	Paul Saunders
Rooney Mara	...	Taggarty
Jade Fusco	...	Bernice Lynch
Lise Lacasse	...	Matron
M. Emmet Walsh	...	Mr. Saunders

Storyline

At 16, Nick Twisp is wry about his teen funk: he lives in Oakland with his sex-addled mother; his father's child support is her meal ticket. While camping in Ukiah, Nick meets Sheeni: for him, it's love at first sight. Nick has to figure out how to get his father a job in Ukiah, then how to get sent to live with his father, then how to get close to Sheeni, whose religious parents may want her sent away from temptation to a boarding school. There's also Sheeni's all-American boyfriend to contend with. Overwhelmed by the challenges, Nick's about to give up when he conjures an alter ego who whispers revolt into his ear. Nick is not altogether hapless, but can this end well?

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Plot Keywords:

coming of age | boyfriend girlfriend relationship | based on novel | obsession | masturbation | 

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Taglines:

The revolution begins January 8

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Genres:

Comedy | Drama | Romance

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated R for sexual content, language and drug use

Details

Official Sites:

Official site [France]

Country:

USA

Language:

English French Spanish

Release Date:

8 January 2010 (USA)

Also Known As:

La chica de mis sueños

Filming Locations:

Meadow Brook Hall, Rochester, Michigan, USA

Box Office

Budget:

$18,000,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend USA:

$6,888,334, 10 January 2010, Wide Release

Gross USA:

$15,281,286, 21 March 2010

Company Credits

Production Co:

Dimension Films, Permut Presentations, Shangri-La Entertainment

Technical Specs

Runtime:

90 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby Dolby Digital

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

François talks dirty to Sheeni in the boarding school ("I want to tickle your bellybutton from the inside", etc.) Director Miguel Arteta revealed on the commentary that all those lines came from researching internet porn sites.

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Goofs

Two similar E46 BMW 3 series vehicles are clearly visible: first a 1999-2001 and after 2002-2005. You can notice the two similar vehicles with Nick Twisp (Michael Cera) faking his death.

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Quotes

Mrs. Saunders: You're the devil and that dog is a hell-beast!

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Crazy Credits

During the opening credits an animated segment shows Nick, his mom and Jerry on their way to their holiday home.

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Connections

References Tokyo Story (1953)

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Soundtracks

Ça Pourrait Changer (Don't You Ever Change Your Mind)
Written by Bob Barratt
Performed by Brigitte Bardot
Courtesy of Mercury Records Limited
Under license from Universal Music Enterprises

User Reviews

Not Awesome. Not Awful. Just Average..

This film is defiantly an "offbeat" comedy. The humour is mixed throughout as though trying to please all audiences, combining cliché "teen movie" jokes with references to obscure films and literature, most likely lost on the average "American Pie" fan. The Tone is unbalanced and the narrative goes all over the place but I suppose that is the point. Acting is well delivered from all, with Cera playing the same socially awkward, insecure guy as usual (but what's wrong with that, he's the right actor for the role)

In short: The story is predictable but that's to be expected. The dialogue between the two leads is interesting and enjoyable. Music works excellently throughout, fitting of each scene. Colour is used well. Cinematography is fine (the scene where the two meet is clichéd but always nice to see.) 5/10. Strong first act, but the rest of the film failed to sustain that level. Worth viewing at least once for fans of the Cera and/or the genre.