3 out of 5

Director: Miguel Arteta

Quirky scenes and a nice use of color and animation cannot buoy this simplistic boy lusts after girl story above an amusing level. Youth in Revolt has revolt in the title and gives us a smart protagonist with an awesome imagination in Michael Cera. He sees a hot girl (Doubleday) and falls in love with her cuteness and daring, somewhat ignorant spirit. What he does to get the girl involves all sorts of trouble, for which Nick Twisp (Mr. Cera) must invent Francois, an imaginary dark alter ego, to carry out some devilish deeds. Youth in Revolt definitely has some moments which make you laugh. Its littered with great character actors, and the bridging animation sequences are strung together very well with a wise choice of indie music that doesnt get in obnoxious (like in Garden State). Its also not too preachy with its be yourself morals, daring to play in some potty humor and dumb jokes. Unfortunately, it also just skims the surface of all these things, producing something thats enjoyable to watch but doesnt really pluck any strings anywhere. And for the crux of the movie – this relationship – which is understandably an escape from Nick Twisps encroaching daily life – it doesnt really give you much to grab on to, besides Sheeni Saunders (Doubleday) being pretty and perhaps willing to do naked things. The rating and humor seems to aim for adult territory, but the simplicity of plot keep it in the teen romance genre. Fun to watch, but it wont stick in your head.