Easy ADirected By: Will Gluck
Starring: Emma Stone, Penn Badgley, Amanda Bynes, Thomas Haden Church, Lisa Kudrow, Stanley Tucci
The Good:
I don’t know if it was really that this film had an 80’s teenage comedy throwback feel or if it was all the references that made me feel that way, either or this movie just made feel giddy inside. This movie made it a point to throw out there that it was influences by great films by the late great John Hughes like The Breakfact Club, Sixteen Candles and other great movies like Say Anything and Ferris Bueller’s Day Off. Like those flicks the cast helped make Easy A what it was. Emma Stone in my humble opinion is an actress to watch out for, she gave us a charming character who made you sympathize with her when the ridiculous situation in this movie went to hell. Amanda Bynes was great as always I’ve always dug her movies, Stanley Tucci and Patricia Clarkson as Emma Stone’s parents just about stole the show you can’t help but want parents like them. My favorite part of this movie is the realistic interpretation of what would tend to happen in a situation like this, particularly a curve ball thrown at us in the middle of the movie that you think is gonna go one way but goes the complete opposite…that’s good writing, yo.
The Bad:
I’ve been sitting here trying to come up with a gripe for this movie, and in a summer full of bad movies it’s hard because this one really holds up. Perhaps the only beef I had with the film is some of the character development, for instance why the main characters best friend Rhiannon (played by Aly Michalka) decided to go with the flock and become a total bitch to Emma Stone, especially when it’s revealed she doesn’t exactly qualify for best friend of the year award. Another is Malcom McDowell’s small but ridiculous part, here’s a girl who gets in trouble in school once in her life and you find it fitting to be a complete ass to her, that wouldn’t fly with me for a microsecond, but these are just petty annoyances.
The Bottom Line:
This flicks deserves and Easy A…you see what I did there? This flick is filled with thought provoking themes, funny moments, touching moments, appreciation for some great literature, and some awesome 80’s movies shout outs. I recommend for not just teens but adults who appreciated John Hughes to go check this out, you have my personal gurantee you won’t be dissapointed.