Slow...slow...slow. It takes almost 20 minutes to introduce another significant character other than Charlize Theron's character Mavis. For the first 15 minutes you really just want to scrub her down and hose her off. It's like a presentation of grossness. She's definitely a good actress, which is why I question why it took so long for the prep of her character. The most obvious reason I can think of would be that it was used as a time-filler for a good, yet paper thin, story. A story which is essentially about a disheveled, alcoholic, big city girl going back to her childhood town on a delusional whim.
Patton Oswald as Matt is terrific. Charlize and Patton together is even better. Their chemistry is the only thing that saves this movie. Charlize's ability to force the realism and comfortability in her character is superior, by far, to any other actor in this movie. She almost overtakes Patton a few times with her presence but he holds his own and they make a surprisingly remarkable duo.
Matt's sister, Sarah, is a funny quirky character that should have been expounded upon. She has a very "Fargo" feel about her.
Most of the time, you feel completely embarrassed for Mavis. You wonder why so many people let her behavior escalate so far; but I suppose there would be no point to the movie otherwise. Buddy, played by Patrick Wilson is Mavis's high school sweetheart, and he has got to be the most perplexingly oblivious person. When he finally admits his stance, it doesn't match up to his previous behavior, or non-behavior I guess would be more accurate. It's like they want you to forget pretty much everything they show you about him up until that point and see him completely differently toward the end. It's just plain odd.
The title of the movie is more representative of Mavis's career. The tagline of "'Everyone gets old. Not everyone grows up.'" and the image of Charlize on the cover does not match up with the story. Mavis isn't having a hard time growing up per se, she has serious mental and emotional problems. It's almost an insult to young people to say only the young experience these issues. I get that she doesn't want to let go of the past, but to say it's because she doesn't want to grow up makes me cringe.
Practically speaking, how the heck is Mavis so thin with such great complexion? Whatever! Anyway, I didn't mind watching this movie, but don't expect any kind of mind blowing revelation or even a slight bulge in the plot. In fact, the ending was kind of a "that's it?" producing moment; but if you want to see another great performance by Charlize Theron and don't mind slow-paced movies, you'll be decently satisfied.
On a scale of 1-10, Young Adult: 6.0
Peformance distinction for Charlize Theron as Mavis: underrated.
Scene Spotlight: Mavis picking up Matt's figurine.
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