{"id":8868,"date":"2015-03-19T13:00:20","date_gmt":"2015-03-19T19:00:20","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.micro-film-magazine.com\/cublog\/?p=8868"},"modified":"2015-03-27T22:29:46","modified_gmt":"2015-03-28T04:29:46","slug":"article-du-c-u-ebertfest-14-pt-5","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.micro-film-magazine.com\/cublog\/?p=8868","title":{"rendered":"Article du C-U: Ebertfest \u201914, pt.5"},"content":{"rendered":"

\u201cLetting It Rip: On YOUNG ADULT\u201d<\/strong>
\nAfter sending a battery of Confidential agents into the Ebertfest fold last April, we present their findings<\/p>\n

by Samantha Ducey<\/em><\/p>\n

~~~~~<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

As I walked into the historic Virginia Theatre<\/strong><\/span><\/a> for the first time in a decade, I was taken aback. Ornate and magical, the theater itself has an otherworldly charm. I had long forgotten what architectural beauty lay in the heart of my hometown Champaign<\/strong>. But, I was further surprised when I panned the audience to see that, somehow, they looked as aged as their recently restored surroundings. A wave of gray and white hair provided shocking contrast to the deep red velvety chairs. I thought for a moment I had mistaken the time or day of the film I wanted to see, YOUNG ADULT<\/strong><\/span><\/a>, instead walking into some sort of real-time COCOON<\/strong> experience. I glanced down at my pass. Indeed, I had the right place at the right time.<\/p>\n

Arriving close to an hour early in hopes of procuring a decent view, most seats on the ground floor were open but saved to my dismay. Meaning, someone had placed a festival program, umbrella, scarf, sweater, or t-shirt over one or more chairs to reserve them while they wandered about. I thought I would be forced to sit in the balcony but, luckily, I found a suitable seat in the lower level next to a group of elderly folks. I settled in and patiently waited for the start of YOUNG ADULT<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

An usher walked by and asked if I wanted my own program. I happily took it and began sifting through. While reading the reviews for the films playing Roger Ebert\u2019s Film Festival<\/strong><\/span><\/a> this year, I found a few grammatical mistakes and decided to make a game of it. \u201cHow many mistakes can I find?\u201d I was interrupted (after finding three!) by the gentleman sitting next to me.<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

\u201cAre you from around here?\u201d he said with a withered smile. I explained that I did live here and this was my first time attending \u201cEbertfest<\/strong>.\u201d Smiling equally with his gleaning eyes, he told me he was from Iowa; his senior assisted living facility had set up the trip to Champaign. He then introduced me to his wife and we continued chatting. When I asked if he was enjoying the festival, his smile fell away and a stern look came over his face. \u201cWell, I don\u2019t think the movies need to be as vulgar as they are,\u201d he said. \u201cThat young, black fellow from the film earlier [SHORT TERM 12<\/strong> actor Keith Stanfield<\/strong><\/span><\/a>] was just as vulgar on stage as he was in the movie.\u201d At this point, I was done talking to him.<\/p>\n

Thankfully, he was distracted when the old man sitting directly behind him dropped a drink on the floor and an usher ran over to clean it up. This other man began throwing a fit about the chairs not having any cup holders. The usher attempted to explain in his calmest, most professional voice that cup holders on the chairs would compromise the historic integrity of the Virginia. I could see the old man gritting his teeth with every word, holding back. This ordeal created one of those dramatic situations the elderly love, whispering direct statements back-and-forth to one another about it.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

After a few minutes, Roger Ebert<\/strong>\u2019s widow Chaz<\/strong> walked on stage and my neighbors hushed. She seemed to be winging it. For instance, while introducing YOUNG ADULT<\/strong> co-star Patton Oswalt<\/strong>, she simply and awkwardly paraphrased her late husband\u2019s review from the program in front of her. She also told a meandering story about how much Ebert loved Oswalt in a previous film, <\/span><\/a>BIG FAN<\/span><\/a>,<\/strong> and how sad Ebert was that Oswalt could not attend Ebertfest in 2012 to introduce it due to scheduling conflicts. I was surprised and a bit confused at how informal an introduction she had given, leaving me to assume she was trying to set a more intimate, easy-going feel to the festival. In retrospect, this worked; many must<\/em> have felt right at home towards the end of the evening as they disruptively packed up to leave during<\/em> the question-and-answer session, but I digress\u2026<\/p>\n

Oswalt then entered from stage right and it was a breath of fresh air. (I was surrounded by old man popcorn farts so this is only figuratively true but, nonetheless, he was the reason I attended.) I have been a fan of his stand-up comedy for years and ecstatic he was gracing our town with his presence. Oswalt gave a short speech about Roger Ebert and how much he respected the late film critic. He then described the influence Ebert\u2019s reviews had on the films he chose to watch as a teenager. \u201cI would have passed on films like FLOATING WEEDS<\/strong> [an Ebert \u201cGreat Movie\u201d<\/span><\/a> from 1959 directed by the prolific Japanese filmmaker Yasujiro Ozu<\/strong>] if it wasn\u2019t for Roger\u2019s recommendation,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n

After Oswalt offered up a few more kind words about Ebert, a short introduction, and the promise he would return after the film, YOUNG ADULT<\/strong> began. During the show, I could easily hear whispers from the cinema sewing circle surrounding me. \u201cThat\u2019s disgusting!\u201d and \u201cHow awful!\u201d were two of several I was able to discern. I wouldn\u2019t say YOUNG ADULT<\/strong> is necessarily racy but it will make you feel uncomfortable. I can only imagine how difficult it would be to watch if I didn\u2019t already know women or, rather, people like Mavis Gary (Charlize Theron<\/strong>); the humor would be lost on me and I\u2019d walk away from the film very sad.<\/p>\n

The film reunites JUNO<\/strong> screenwriter Diablo Cody<\/strong> with director Jason Reitman<\/strong> and introduces us to Mavis, a shallow, self-centered, divorced thirtysomething writer whose life consists of television, alcohol, and one-night stands. After receiving a birth announcement from her high school sweetheart, Buddy Slade (Patrick Wilson<\/strong>), she returns to her small hometown to entertain delusions of grandeur by attempting to rekindle a flame with Buddy, who is now married to Beth (Elizabeth Reaser<\/strong>). This does nothing to detour Mavis who, like a superficial teenager or sociopath, is only concerned with getting what she wants from people by any means necessary. The voice of reason is provided by Matt Freehauf (Oswalt), another high school classmate of Mavis who was disabled when jocks beat him up because they thought he was gay. Although Matt warns Mavis that attempting to get Buddy back is insane, she is so stubborn and full of herself she tries anyhow.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

I felt slightly guilty every time I laughed at something on screen because the retired couple next to me would shift in their seats and the gentleman forced air through his whistley nostrils in disapproval. I wondered what the couple thought of this film. I bet they would give it two thumbs down. After YOUNG ADULT<\/strong> ended they didn\u2019t clap, they didn\u2019t smile. They just looked exhausted<\/em>. I suddenly became very enthusiastic to see their reaction towards Oswalt\u2019s discussion.<\/p>\n

Guest panelists Susan Wloszczyna<\/strong>, formerly an entertainment journalist with USA Today<\/strong><\/span>, and Steve Prokopy<\/strong>, contributor \u201cCapone\u201d on the Ain\u2019t It Cool News<\/strong><\/span> Web site, brought Oswalt back out for the YOUNG ADULT<\/strong> Q&A. This proved to be the highlight of my evening. As I stated earlier, I love Oswalt\u2019s stand up<\/span><\/a>. On stage, he is charming, intelligent, and quick with a youthful ease that is comfortable and fun. He brought this same brilliance to the film discussion, cracking up the crowd as he spoke about customized busty STAR WARS<\/strong> action figures, French bulldogs as a \u201cliving picture of Dorian Gray<\/strong>,\u201d and how focused he is as an actor. \u201cI gained 40 pounds for this [role] 20 years before Diablo [Cody] wrote the script,\u201d he boasted.<\/p>\n

Joking somewhat aside, Oswalt offered more insight into the film. Particularly on Mavis, he said \u201cshe\u2019s a despicable character but she\u2019s a recognizable one\u201d because we\u2019ve all met a person like her, someone who refuses to grow up. He proposes that YOUNG ADULT<\/strong> \u201cis a great cautionary tale for kids. Enjoy your youth but also enjoy your adulthood and maturity. They\u2019re both great. Don\u2019t try to rush to one and white knuckle the other.\u201d And this discussion certainly got my wheels turning.<\/p>\n

I couldn\u2019t help but think of my elderly neighbors, mainly because the guy next to me was half asleep and breathing heavily, but I felt less angry at him, all<\/em> of them, for everything: getting up to pee during the movie, whispering, spilling drinks, smelling musty, leaving before the Q&A ended and not<\/em> quietly. Maybe it was because I laughed so much it put me in a good mood. Honestly, I think it was due to the curtain lifting a little and me being horrified to see a bit of Mavis in myself, judging these strangers and feeling embarrassed for sitting by them. It felt pretty lousy on my part.<\/p>\n

But, as if on cue, the sleeping old man behind me audibly ripped one and I hated them all over again for it.<\/p>\n

YOUNG ADULT played the sixteenth annual Roger Ebert\u2019s Film Festival on Thursday, April 24, 2014, 9 p.m. Actor Patton Oswalt appeared as a festival guest. Oswalt also hosted the pre-Ebertfest screening of THE TAKING OF PELHAM ONE, TWO, THREE (1974) at Foellinger Auditorium on the University of Illinois campus on Tuesday, April 22, 2014, 7 p.m.<\/em><\/p>\n


\n<\/em><\/p>\n

:: Part 4<\/span><\/a> :: Part 6<\/span><\/a> ::<\/p>\n


\n<\/em><\/p>\n

~~~~~<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

YOUNG ADULT<\/strong> is a Mandate Pictures<\/strong> presentation of a Mr. Mudd<\/strong> production in association with Right of Way Films<\/strong> and Denver & Delilah Films<\/strong>, distributed theatrically, VOD, and on home video (U.S.) by Paramount Pictures<\/strong>. It was directed by Jason Reitman, written by Diablo Cody, and produced by Lianne Halfon, Russell Smith, Mason Novick<\/strong>, Cody, and Reitman, and stars Charlize Theron, Patton Oswalt, Patrick Wilson, and Elizabeth Reaser. 2011, HD, Color, 93 minutes<\/p>\n

~~~~~<\/p>\n

Samantha Ducey lives, works, and dreams all things cinema in Chicago.<\/em><\/p>\n


\n<\/em><\/p>\n

Article \u00a9 2015 Samantha Ducey. Used with permission.<\/p>\n

CUBlog edits \u00a9 2015 Jason Pankoke<\/p>\n

Cover graphic: \u00a9 Roger Ebert\u2019s Film Festival\/Daily Illini<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

YOUNG ADULT<\/strong> graphics: \u00a9 2011 Paramount Pictures
\nand Mercury Productions, LLC<\/strong><\/p>\n


\n<\/em><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n


\n<\/em><\/p>\n

Back to the fore, MacDuff\u2026<\/strong><\/em><\/span><\/a><\/span><\/p>\n

Visit the Article Index<\/strong><\/em><\/span><\/a><\/span><\/p>\n

Return to Home Page<\/strong><\/em><\/span><\/a><\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

New informants bring their perspectives to the table in highlighting “Ebertfest” 2014. In the fifth filing, Samantha Ducey encounters thematic duplicity during a screening of YOUNG ADULT.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":4,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[14,137,13,30],"tags":[1448,1447,1445,1443,1442,1444,1446,1251,924,72,1441],"class_list":["post-8868","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-area-festivals","category-article-du-c-u","category-public-events","category-roger-ebert","tag-age-differences","tag-arrested-development","tag-charlize-theron","tag-diablo-cody","tag-jason-reitman","tag-mandate-pictures","tag-narcissim","tag-paramount-pictures","tag-patton-oswalt","tag-roger-eberts-film-festival","tag-young-adult"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.micro-film-magazine.com\/cublog\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/8868","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.micro-film-magazine.com\/cublog\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.micro-film-magazine.com\/cublog\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.micro-film-magazine.com\/cublog\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/4"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.micro-film-magazine.com\/cublog\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=8868"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.micro-film-magazine.com\/cublog\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/8868\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.micro-film-magazine.com\/cublog\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=8868"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.micro-film-magazine.com\/cublog\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=8868"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.micro-film-magazine.com\/cublog\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=8868"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}