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Youth in Revolt (R, 2010)

common sense media says

Story of "bad-boy" teen is funny, but also rough and raw.

parents & educators say
  • 83% say sexual content is an issue
  • 67% say language is an issue
See all 13 reviews | Review it

What parents need to know

Parents need to know that although Youth in Revolt stars teen fave Michael Cera, this isn't his typical goofy/sweet role. The movie -- which is based on the same-named novel by C.D. Payne, which is also big with teens -- is full of sex, drugs, and bad behavior, including criminal activity, sexual activity, and drug use. All of this involves high-school aged kids, and while many of the film's more outlandish acts are carried out by the main character's alter ego, they still affect other characters. They also have some ramifications (including punishment), but ultimately the main character doesn't suffer too much -- so be ready to talk to your teens about real-life consequences for iffy behavior, no matter how "cool" it might seem. Expect lots of strong language (including "s--t," "f--k," and more) and a lot of sexual talk and references (including masturbation and condom use).

Positive messages: While the lead character pays a certain price for his transgressions, things still work out relatively well for him in the end, despite his iffy, ill-considered behavior.
Positive role models: Lead character Nick Twisp -- a teen anti-hero -- is a model of problematic behavior (from crime to smoking to sex), even with his intrinsic sweetness.
Violence: Some scuffling; some vehicular damage; some chase scenes. Explosions, arson.
Sex: Extensive discussions about and depictions of sex, including masturbation, kissing, condom use, and intercourse. Some male shirtlessness.
Language: Constant strong language, including "s--t," "a--hole," "f--k" (and many variations on it), "bitch," "prick," "dick," "p---y," "bulls--t," "hell," "ass," "damn," "goddamn," "oh my God," and more.
Consumerism: Not applicable.
Drinking, drugs, & smoking: Copious comedic smoking by a high school boy's alter ego; also smoking by adults and references to alcohol. Extensive references to marijuana and "magic mushrooms," including unaware persons eating a meal dosed with said mushrooms. A boy surreptitiously has a girl's food and drink laced with sleeping pills without her knowledge so she'll flunk out of school.
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More on Youth in Revolt

What to talk about

Talk to your kids
  • Families can talk about the themes the film explores -- do teens have to act up, act out, and make mistakes? And does that really make them more interesting, charismatic, and attractive?
  • What are the challenges of depicting teen life in print and on film? Do teens respond to more realistic (or exciting) depictions of teen life than parents may feel comfortable with?
  • How does the film depict drug use? What are the real-life ramifications of drug use -- and the real consequences?
  • What messages does the movie send about teen sex? Parents, take this opportunity to talk with your teens about your family's values.

What's the story?

What's the story?
Exiled to a trailer park by his divorced mother and father's reduced circumstances, Nick Twisp (Michael Cera) is hating life ... aside from the presence of girl-next-trailer Sheeni Saunders (Portia Doubleday), who immediately inspires Nick's affections. But those affections are upset by Sheeni's devout parents' plans to send her off to boarding school. Undaunted, Nick creates a swaggering bad-boy alter-ego named Francois Dillinger who has the guts and cool to pull off schemes that Nick would never attempt -- and proceeds to pursue Sheeni far beyond the bounds of reasonable behavior.

Is it any good?

Is it any good?
 

Based on the popular cult novel by C.D. Payne, YOUTH IN REVOLT is a wild, raucous tale of mad young love and remarkably bad behavior that also serves as a great showcase for teen actor Cera (Superbad, Arrested Development), who plays both hero Nick and -- thanks to the miracle of computer effect -- his alter-ego Francois to well-honed comedic effect. Cera is best known for being the stumbling, mumbling nice guy; Francois finally gives him a chance to strut and swagger, and he blossoms into it. The nicely tuned supporting cast -- including Justin Long, Fred Willard, Ray Liotta, and Jean Smart -- also wrings nice moments out of the script in brief, brisk scenes.

The movie's road-trip narrative makes for a fairly episodic story, and some of Nick's attempts and actions in pursuit of Sheeni's affections are decidedly desperate, dangerous, and deranged; if you're looking for a story with a moral ending, you may want to look elsewhere. But Youth in Revolt has enough chaotic charm and feral funny stuff to make it a bizarre, blackly comedic entry in the teen-flick canon.

Movie themes & details

Movie Details
Studio: Dimension
Director: Miguel Arteta
Cast: Michael Cera, Portia Doubleday, Ray Liotta
Genre: Comedy
Run time: 90 minutes
Theatrical release: January 8, 2010
DVD release: June 15, 2010
MPAA Rating: R
MPAA explanation: sexual content, language and drug use
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This review was written by James Rocchi
 
 

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What parents & educators say

15
Based on 6 parent & educator reviews:
  • 83% say sexual content is an issue
  • 67% say language is an issue
  • 67% say there's too much drinking, drugs, or smoking
  • 33% say there are positive role models
Read the reviews

Most useful reviews by all members

Kiki Long.
teen, 15 years old
14
 
Meh
I went to see this movie and almost got chucked out, i messed up my dob, I laighed THE WHOLE WAY through. It was really good, but kind of puppy dog sweet at the same time. On the explicitness, is not as bad as some films like american pie etc. Just don't watch it with your parents!
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ohlawlz
teen, 17 years old
14
 
Awesome movie
This movie had me laughing almost throughout. It's a well made story, good acting, and hilarious characters put together. Of course on top of all that is adult material such as strong language throughout, drug use, and sexual humor. It's probaably not anything your kid hasn't seen before though. You can guarantee you'll be laughing alot.
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kallay
parent of 19 year old
13
 
The spy next door
i love it!!!!!!!!!!!!!
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MovieLover4Lyfe
adult
17
 
What to watch out for? Well, there's the horrible language, the plethora of sexual content, the drinking and drug use. This is a funny movie for adults and iffy for teens 17+.
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joshua martinez
adult
17
 
17 and up.
youth in revolt earns a R rated for a good reason and is to be consider only for adults there's a little bit of violence there's a lot of sex talk and sex shown there is strong language used throughout the movie and a lot of drinking smoking and drugs used.
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selenium_user1 ...
parent of 5 year old
15
 
user review
test review
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MovieMan26
adult
16
 
Too quirky for my taste
If you're a fan of Indie films, then you'll probably like it. If you're a fan of Michael Cera, then you'll probably like it. Otherwise, you might want to look elsewhere. I didn't like this film. The story didn't really keep my interest. Parents: There's plenty of sexual behavior, language, and drug use to try and keep young kids away. Bottom Line: Nothing really great here, except for seeing Michael Cera be a bad-@$$ (because you don't really see that often), and that's the only reason I gave it two stars. Thanks for reading! - Movie Man
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bradley4846
teen, 17 years old
16
 
The book is REALLY explicit. so i thought, how will a movie happen... overall, it was a good adaptation, i ddnt love some of the things they changed but... Sex: Lots, explicit talkin (and sounds (first 5 secs). Floating sex positions (drawings), to much to explain... Language: Uses of f, s, d, h, b (etc) words. Drugs: Drinking, Mushrooms, Weed OVerall this was decent, but they couldve done better
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masonlackey
teen, 14 years old
14
 
youth in revolt
good movie
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helped me decide (8) | had useful details (10) | read my mind (8)
thecooldude1
teen, 16 years old
17
 
stupid movie
this movie is about sex and drugs it should be 18+
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tman10009
teen, 15 years old
14
 
very funny I think an R rating is a little harsh it wasnt that bad.
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WELDADJ
parent
14
 
FANTASTIC MOVIE, MID TO OLDER TEENS
The film has probably about 25 to 30 f-bombs, not too many other expletives. One graphic cartoon depictions of sex (shows the act so extremely graphic). Violence is just explosions, and towards the end of the movie one characters pops up who drugs everyone on weed and shrooms. Otherwise just some language and mild innuendo. (other than the sex depiction). On the good side, the kid fights for his love and shows that you can't be stopped for the peson your meant to be with. My MPAA Rating: R for brief strong language, Graphic Sexual Content, and Drug Use.
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mannymateo10isback
teen, 14 years old
17
 
this is totally terrible like the other raunchy movies
bad movie ever seen, should be rated NC-17
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