Youth in Revolt

Michael Cera stars as Nick Twisp - an aspiring teen novelist in Oakland who lives with his mother, Estelle (Jean Smart), and whatever loser guy she might be dating at the time. Right now, that loser guy is Jerry (Zach Galifianakis) and he has found himself in the middle of some trouble involving a car and some angry Navy midshipmen.

To avoid getting his head bashed in, Jerry takes Estelle and Nick to a lakeside cabin to hide out for the week. While there, Nick meets Sheeni (Portia Doubleday), and she rocks his world. However, Sheeni is into bad boys, so Nick decides to engage his evil side in the form of Francois Dillinger - an alter ego who will make Nick into a hellraiser and bring him closer to Sheeni by any means necessary.

Can Nick be bad enough to win over Sheeni?

Is she worth it?

Does he really have a chance?

Youth in Revolt is the first good comedy of 2010 (sure, it might be the first comedy of 2010 as well, but don't hold that against them, it's still very good). Based on the novel by C.D. Payne, writer Gustin Nash and director Miguel Arteta deliver a movie with great dialogue, silly situations and enough teen angst to win over the most hardened of hearts. At its core, Youth in Revolt is a movie about wanting something so much, you are willing to do anything to get it, which is a perfect film for Cera and his well known teen awkwardness.

I know many people are starting to think Cera plays the same role over and over again, and they might be getting sick of it, but he still is the perfect awkward, geeky kid we all root for (enjoy it while it lasts, kid). He brings earnestness and eagerness to each character along with well timed and understated delivery. Cera is one of the few actors out there who can make you laugh just by looking at him.

Then, even as bad boy Francois, Cera shows, no matter how crazy and demented his plot to win Sheeni might be, Nick is a good kid at heart. Teamed with Doubleday, who makes for a great partner as the ultimate Lolita, this is some of Cera's best work.

With a quick pace, some raunchy situations and plenty of craziness, Youth in Revolt is a funny comedy without being stupid.

Youth in Revolt is rated Rated R for sexual content, language and drug use.