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Awkward, Stammering Nebbish Ladies' Man

By Dustin Rowles | Posted Under Trailers | Comments (27)

cera_youth_in_revolt.jpg

As studios are wont to do when they blow the trailer load too early in the game, Dimension Films has seen fit to follow up its first two trailers with a Red Band version, so that we might all revel in a little profanity. It’s funny because your mother might tsk tsk.

That said: I want to like this movie. I love coming-of-age films more than anything in the whole world that doesn’t start with a P end with an O and play risc in between. By all accounts, C.D. Payne’s Nick Twisp novels are great source material, too. Director Miguel Arteta is unknown, but promising, and screenwriter Gustin Nash (dude, buy a “D”) wrote the wonderful but overlooked Charlie Bartlett.

So what’s the problem? You people are the fucking problem. The Pajiba fucking readership, who have planted this “Michael Cera blows green chicken peen” seed into my head. Presumably, it would’ve come to me eventually, but now — thanks to the Cera blowback in these parts — I can’t watch him without thinking he’s obnoxiously playing the exact same part with the exact same mannerisms, which has gotten really fucking old. Year One, of course, didn’t help matters — talk about sucking green chicken peen.

Anyway, here’s that Red Band trailer. I’m still on the fence, but — for the moment — I’m leaning toward: Could be decent.









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Comments

The kid doesn't bother me personally.

Posted by: Jay at December 9, 2009 10:10 AM

Hey! Me and Pajiba on the rag at exactly the same time. Who'da thunk?

Posted by: Cindy at December 9, 2009 10:10 AM

I can’t watch him without thinking he’s obnoxiously playing the exact same part with the exact same mannerisms, which has gotten really fucking old.

That's cause he has been. Hell, Jesse Eisenberg channeled "The Cera Method" in Zombieland and would have hurt that movie but for Woody's country awesomeness.

Cera has talent, but he's played the same character from Superbad through Nick and Nora's Infinite Playlist to Year One.

Chances of that changing with this movie? 10%

Posted by: Fredo at December 9, 2009 10:11 AM

The Pajiba fucking readership, who have planted this “Michael Cera blows green chicken peen” seed into my head.

Is this similar to how you once claimed that the "Pajiba fucking readership" made you start hating on Steve Carell, when it was really you who started the whole trend on this here site?

I will have to do some investigating into this.

I will give this movie the benefit of the doubt simply because part of it was shot very close to my house. In fact, I saw Michael Cera and his then girlfriend - the girl he recently dumped after their little movie was released - walking down the sidewalk while I was at the gas station. Heh, it's not too often you see celebrties walking around Royal Oak, Michigan.

Posted by: Forbiddendonut at December 9, 2009 10:12 AM

Though perhaps Dustin actually likes to see the knives out. They sure do come out for Cera.

Posted by: Jay at December 9, 2009 10:15 AM

Dunno - I laughed a couple times watching that . . . Netflix for sure.

Posted by: bibliophile at December 9, 2009 10:19 AM

"I can’t watch him without thinking he’s obnoxiously playing the exact same part with the exact same mannerisms, which has gotten really fucking old."

You are welcome.

/will catch on TBS

Posted by: BarbadoSlim at December 9, 2009 10:24 AM

I'm sure that if I knew the book I would entirely offended. But right now I'm pretty happy with what I see.

Posted by: Optimus Rhyme at December 9, 2009 10:41 AM

I only have room in my life for one awkward, stammering, nebbish actor, and after Zomebieland, that actor is Jesse Eisenberg.

Eat it, Cera.

Posted by: TK at December 9, 2009 11:04 AM

You remember how after you turn six you were "a big boy now" so normal spankings weren't good enough and dad had to start using the buckle end of the belt? Yeah, Michael Cera needs to be beat like that till his voice finally changes. It's called puberty dude, get some.

Posted by: EricD at December 9, 2009 11:08 AM

It's hard out their for comedic actors, they get pigeonholed into a single role, and are forced to play it over and over again until everyone gets sick of their shit. Only Bill Murray is immune.

That said, couldn't Michael Cera at least try to break the mold? Just because your shticks staleness isn't your fault doesn't mean their isn't something you can do about it. Couldn't he play a serial killer or something? Maybe the bastard father of some kid from the slums. Get your hands dirty, Cera, and you might just have a career again.

Posted by: George at December 9, 2009 11:16 AM

Cera has talent, but he's played the same character from Superbad through Nick and Nora's Infinite Playlist to Year One.

Don't you mean from Arrested Development through...

Let's try to remember that, as awful as "The Cera Method" has become, there was a time when it was gloriously, awkwardly, endearing.

Posted by: esme at December 9, 2009 11:17 AM

Let's also try to keep in mind that Cera has NO. METHOD. he is "playing" Michael Cera. This is how he is. He is not an actor, comedic or otherwise.

Posted by: BarbadoSlim at December 9, 2009 11:21 AM

I laughed. I'd probably go see this but I don't think I've seen as many Cera movies as the rest of you so I haven't gotten sick of him.

Posted by: becks at December 9, 2009 11:48 AM

It looks like he's straying from the mold a bit as "Francois," but I don't know if it counts when you're playing a delusion.

I laughed a bit. I'll probably see it on DVD.

Posted by: Alexandra at December 9, 2009 11:52 AM

This film still looks awesome. Sorry, Pajiba readership*, we disagree again.

Michael Cera was great in Juno**. He almost made my personal Supporting Actor line-up. He was bested by Jason Bateman.

January 8 release date? I'll take "The Studio is Afraid of a Quirky Film" for 800, Alex.

*Allegedly. I'm not recalling massive Michael Cera hate. Perhaps a divergent strand when he dumped sweet innocent Chalyne Yi*** when promotion ended for Paper Heart, but that's it.

**Juno is still an great film. One of my favorite comedies. The screenplay is damn near flawless in all technical aspects, obnoxious hipster dialog or not. It is a well-plotted film with strong character arcs and unexpected surprises in what should be familiar territory.

***She was also fucking awesome in Juno. Deal with it.****

****I wrote a paper last week with footnotes, only to be told to use endnotes because some people tried to cheat paper length by overusing sources. Now I'm intentionally making the damn thing longer with even more sources. I'm still working out the residual footnote angst.

Posted by: Robert at December 9, 2009 11:59 AM

I saw this at the AFI Fest several weeks ago. It's worth checking out. Yes, that's right. A comedy actually receives the seal of approval from the dour DarthCorleone.

Don't worry about Cera. He does the normal thing here playing his typical character more or less, yes, but the fact that he also plays the Francois Dillinger alternate personality makes for a very amusing juxtaposition.

Oh, and don't watch that trailer. It gives away some good jokes.

Posted by: DarthCorleone at December 9, 2009 12:16 PM

WO WO WO!!! I found a HOTTEST interracial club__M i x e d C o n n e c t *.* _c_0_M___for black Women and white Men, or black Men and white Women, to interact with each other. Interracial is not a problem here, but a great merit to cherish!

Posted by: branty at December 9, 2009 12:30 PM

What I think is brilliant about this film, from the trailer, is that it does exactly what people have been hoping Michael Cera would do: Gives him a non-quirky part to play. But rather than throwing Cera into a more grown-up role all at once, it eases us into it with the split personality concept. I think that's fantastic, and I can't wait to see it play out, personally.

Posted by: Christian H. at December 9, 2009 12:34 PM

Only things I've ever seen Cera in were "Arrested Development" and Juno, so I still love him.

I'm with becks and Robert on this one.

And, Robert, I've been meaning to say that I find your choice of screen name fascinating. Just Robert. No last initial. No hipster nickname. And properly capitalized. It’s simple, but bold, and I like it.

Posted by: Jelinas at December 9, 2009 1:46 PM

I loath that little shit...but....I have to say I do buy his performance as Francois.

Posted by: elzupasmonkey at December 9, 2009 2:49 PM

Youth in Revolt is one of my favorite books--I think I've read it a dozen times. I'm not a "No movie could ever be as good as a book" blowhard, but I will say this--Michael Cera is wrong for the part. I've liked most of his movies. He does play the same role in all of them... unfortunately for him, that role is NOT Nick Twisp. Nick's a scheming personality who instigates hijinks and subterfuge. Nick has a bit of a mean streak, at that. So... I guess we'll see if Cera can up the ante and get down with his inner Twisp. I hope so.

Posted by: Saucy McButterpants at December 9, 2009 4:02 PM

Ug, Saucy McButterpants I read Youth in Revolt just recently and couldn't finish it fast enough. It just seemed like the same thing happened over and over and over with no building tension.

The trailer, to me, looks better than the book.

Different strokes, I guess.

Posted by: Snuggiepants the Deathbringer at December 9, 2009 4:04 PM

Well, Snuggie... I haven't read it in about a decade. I first cranked through it at fourteen. Maybe I should give it a reread and see how it strikes me at the age of [redacted].

Posted by: Saucy McButterpants at December 9, 2009 4:29 PM

I'm really looking forward to this. The Francois Dillinger character could be a great opportunity for Cera to show that he has more range than he's given credit for, which I'm desperately hoping is the case, as he's going to be Scott Pilgrim.

And I have a deep, deep love for Scott Pilgrim.

Posted by: Daniel Hall at December 9, 2009 6:24 PM

Michael Cera will always be George-Michael to me and I don't care, I will always be willing to watch a George-Michael movie... unless said movie also involves Jack Black.

Posted by: Kelli at December 10, 2009 3:52 AM

This kid is bad ass :) . Just saw the trailer at http://trailers-watch.com/ . Hilarious!

Posted by: Stephan at December 12, 2009 10:00 AM