AFF Capsule Review: Youth in Revolt

Of course, we understand if you think the stuttery, “Arrested Development” wunderkind is a bit overexposed lately. But don’t roll your eyes--you’d be wrong to dismiss this film.

Cera’s birdlike awkwardness is perfect for the part of gawky, virginal nerd Nick Twisp, a 16-year-old-who finds love on a trailer park vacation and decides to do whatever it takes to hang on to it. He finds a way to become the bad boy he knows he needs to be to turn his life around. Think Fight Club for nerdy virgins. And if that last sentence didn’t sell you, just trust us—it’s funny.

Director Miguel Arteta does a fine job keeping the plot moving and the laughs flowing. Who couldn’t use a good laugh at the expense of the pitfalls of young love, especially when they’re way worse than anything we ever did. (Right? Right?) But ultimately Cera’s perfectly blank expression, which can cause plenty of guffaws in an absurd situation, of which there are plenty, hinders him when it’s time to talk about true love and make an audience believe it.