Tags
2010's, Aly Michalka, Amanda Bynes, Comedy, Dan Byrd, Easy A, Emma Stone, Lisa Kudrow, Malcolm McDowell, Patricia Clarkson, Penn Badgley, Stanley Tucci, Thomas Haden Church, Will Gluck
Film Title
Easy A
Director
Will Gluck
Starring
- Emma Stone as Olive Penderghast
- Penn Badgley as Woodchuck Todd
- Amanda Bynes as Marianne Bryant
- Thomas Haden Church as Mr. Griffith
- Lisa Kudrow as Mrs. Griffith
- Aly Michalka as Rhiannon
- Dan Byrd as Brandon
- Patricia Clarkson as Rosemary Penderghast
- Stanley Tucci as Dill Penderghast
- Malcolm McDowell as Principal Gibbons
Funny, insightful and above all relatable, Easy A examines in comedic fashion that effects that a few little white lies can have on you and your reputation in the puzzling jungle known as high school. Headed by the excellent Emma Stone, Easy A is well above the average teen comedy and is one of the best I’ve seen in my recent memory, mainly because of its razor-sharp script and funny reworking of The Scarlet Letter.
Olive Penderghast is an average high school girl, who while not the most popular girl in school is not the most unpopular either. In order to get out of a camping trip with her best friend Rhiannon, Olive lies and says she lost her virginity having a passionate weekend with a boy. Unfortunately, Marianne, the zealously religious girl, begins to spread the rumour around the school and soon Olive has a reputation as the school tart. Now everyone is gossiping about her alleged personal life whereas before no one really took notice of her, she confides in another friend Brandon, who has recently come out as gay. Suffering bullying at the hands of the other students, he begs Olive to pretend she slept with him. Out of kindness, Olive agrees and when this rumour gets around she embraces the title as a harlot. Funnily enough, her reputation begins to mirror The Scarlet Letter, a book she has recently been studying in English class. But after a while, she begins to see that the reputation has gotten out of hand and is impacting on her relationships with those around her. She decides that maybe it is time she revealed the truth. But will anyone believe her?
The first thing to note in Will Gluck’s movie is the remarkable script it has. Delving into the thorny thicket of teenage gossip and anxiety, it crafts a relatable yet still funny look at the machinations of social standing that occur in high school. Laughs and equal amounts of drama occur, with the cast ably handling both with aplomb. References to John Hughes movies and classic 80’s films abound and will certainly raise a smile from many, including one scene that re-enacts both Say Nothing and The Breakfast Club.The eclectic soundtrack assembled accompanies much of the film, and provides many laughs along the way. A highlight for me has to be Olive singing “Pocketful of Sunshine” for almost the whole weekend, I really couldn’t stop laughing after viewing this scene.
Emma Stone is smart, sexy and touching as Olive, who finds herself branded the Hester Prynne of her school after that little white lie became public knowledge. She excellently captures the caring side of her and the willingness to help others, whilst also showing a charismatic sense of humour when people turn on her. Olive is a character who many can identify with and much of this adds to the success of Easy A. Penn Badgley of Gossip Girl film makes his role as the boy who sees through the lies and manages to woo Olive, more interesting than it could have been. As the zealous Marianne, Amanda Bynes is particularly good, her scenes with Stone providing many comedic highlights. One being Marianne telling Olive that a higher power won’t approve of her depraved behaviour. Olive’s witty reply “Tom Cruise” will have you laughing for ages. Thomas Haden Church and Lisa Kudrow in supporting roles perform very well as married teachers. Dan Byrd as Brandon earns sympathy as the much bullied Brandon who Olive helps out. Aly Michalka is a cheeky presence as the bossy Rhiannon. And rounding out the cast are Patricia Clarkson and Stanley Tucci as Olive’s super groovy parents, who steal every scene in which they appear. Look out for Malcolm McDowell in a humorous cameo as the principal.
What could have been another clichéd teen movie becomes something much greater in the form of Easy A. If it’s a teen movie that probes into many issues facing youths on a daily basis and a fine cast fleshing out the eccentric roles of this modern take on The Scarlet Letter, Easy A may be the film you’ve been searching for.
davideperretta said:
I agree, I liked the script as well. Have you seen ‘Fired Up!’? That one is even funnier IMO 🙂
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vinnieh said:
Thanks, I’ll have to check out Fired Up.
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lukebbtt said:
I’m glad I watched this film. Outside my type, but worth the risk. Emma Stone is terrific.
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vinnieh said:
Thanks, yeah Stone is terrific as you said.
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Smash said:
I loved this movie too! It’s so charming and fun. And I love Emma Stone. I think she’s a great actress, and she’s always entertaining.
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vinnieh said:
Thanks for your comment. Yeah whenever Emma Stone is on the screen she just lights it up.
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reykissna said:
Nice take. 🙂
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vinnieh said:
Thank you very much for the kind words.
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CMrok93 said:
This one’s pretty damn funny, especially since Stone has such a snarky attitude about her, that it just fits so well with the rest of the high school setting. Good review Vinnie.
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vinnieh said:
Thanks Dan, I love Stone’s attitude in this and her sense of humour is great.
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TBM said:
Interesting, I hadn’t heard of it.
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vinnieh said:
Thanks, I hope you get to see it.
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Abbi said:
I think I am one of very few people who really didn’t like this film. I thought the idea of a girl selling fake sex stories and encouraging a gay friend to lie about his sexuality as a “comedy” was awful.
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vinnieh said:
Thanks for the comment, I have heard a few people who said they didn’t like it at all.
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table9mutant said:
Nice review. 🙂 Kind of with Abbi on this one, though – I just couldn’t get into this as much as others seemed to. Maybe I’m too old! I just kept thinking that the 80s movies Emma Stone kept referencing were far better than the movie she was in…
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vinnieh said:
Thanks for the comment, yeah you’re not the only person who didn’t get it. I know plenty of people that didn’t see anything good within the film.
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Teepee12 said:
Those days are more than 50 years passed for me… I can pretend to relate, but it’s not true. I really don’t. I got old.
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vinnieh said:
Thanks for the comment.
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thomasjford said:
Nice one Vinnie. I’ve never seen this but it sounds pretty decent. I’ll give it a go!
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vinnieh said:
Thanks for the comment, let me know your thoughts on it if you do manage to see it.
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mettelray said:
I love Easy A… I want to watch again now. 😀
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vinnieh said:
Thanks, go for it, glad I made you want to see it again.
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Terry Malloy's Pigeon Coop said:
Not seen this one, but I like Emma Stone so I’ll look into it. Nice review mate.
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vinnieh said:
If you like Emma Stone, I’m sure you’ll enjoy Easy A.
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Kim @ Tranquil Dreams said:
Love Easy A! I think this made me love Emma Stone! She’s totally awesome 🙂 Great review!
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vinnieh said:
Thanks, yeah Stone is certainly likeable in this.
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drakulus23 said:
I just nominated you for a Liebster Award :]
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vinnieh said:
Thanks for the nomination.
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Natalie Stendall said:
Great review. Wasn’t quite as taken by this movie as you, but agree that Emma Stone does put in a great performance and I have to say I liked the take on Scarlet Letter!
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vinnieh said:
Yeah I did like the way it put a modern spin on the Scarlet Letter.
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That EJ said:
Great review as always, Vin! I loved this one. Wasn’t sure I would, being a little outside my preferred genre at face value. But it was so well done. Well scripted and fantastically cast. Good stuff!
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vinnieh said:
Thanks, I’m not the biggest fan of comedy but I did enjoy Easy A.
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jeffro517 said:
I watched this a couple years ago and I was surprised at how much better it was than I expected.
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vinnieh said:
Thanks, yeah I was pleasantly surprised by this movie when I first saw it.
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KittNoir said:
Both the original novel and this film are on my to do list. I shall watch the film this week after reading your review!
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vinnieh said:
Thanks for the comment, I hope you enjoy it.
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stephen1001 said:
I went into this one without high expectations but was really impressed – I agree, solid script & performances (and Stanley Tucci may be the best supporting actor in the business).
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vinnieh said:
Thanks for the comment, yeah Tucci is always so reliable in supporting roles.
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