Review: Easy A

When Olive Pendergrast makes up losing her virginity, she goes from relative unknown to talk of the school. In order to help out a gay friend from torment, Olive uses her new found slutiness to sell her "sex" for various gift cards and payment options. What ensues is a scandolous free for all, especially when the Christian group at her school begins to protest after a particularly STD sexcapade. Despite all of that, Olive begins to realize the consequences of a lie, and maybe along the way finds out that if she really wants love, all she needs to be is herself.

While Easy A was not exactly targeted for a straight 20 year old male, it suceeded, with flying colors I might add, at being one of the most entertaining and pleasing movies I have seen in a long time. Will Gluck does a decent job at directing simply by letting the actors ramble in some scenes that is most likely ad-lib, and by moving the story along at a zippy pace that never has a dull moment.

The script deftly scorns many of the awful romantic comedy pitfalls, and even openly makes fun of them (even mentioning John Hughes by name), and yet still manages to be zippy, have plenty of useful pop culture references, without being cheesy or trying to hard to be funny. Furthermore, there is some real tension here, making it rise above the normal chatter. There is real drama, real tears, and real conflict that makes this more than just your normal horny comedy, and also makes you feel for these characters. Basically, it gives you a reason to care about the outcome of Olive's love life.

But the real part that makes this movie work is the incredible cast. The teenagers fit stereotypes, yet still manage to be original (Amanda Bynes as a Jesus freak is particularly funny). More importantly, the adult actors add so much depth and chemistry, combining their incredible talents and great comedic timing to create a perfect world of warmth that seems simply flawless.

Finally, and most importantly, Emma Stone, Easy A's effervescent star is what really makes this movie work. Her bright red hair and husky voice make her the perfect anti-hero romantic star, and her wit and timing, and incredible chemistry with her co-stars, means that Ms. Stone has a long, incredible career ahead of her.

Overall, Easy A is one of the best romantic comedies to come out in the last year, and may go down as one of the great teen comedies, becoming this generation's Clueless. If not, at least all that venture to the theatre can enjoy lots of laughs, and witness the birth of the next great comedic actress, Emma Stone.

Grade: A-