Skip to main content

Dome Pondering Movie Review: Young Adult (2011)

What is it about? 

A middle-aged, divorced, fiction-writer returns home to rekindle a very old romance with her now happily married ex-boyfriend. 

Who is in it? 

Carlize Theron - Mavis Gary

Patton Oswalt - Matt Freehauf

Patrick Wilson - Buddy Slade

Favorite Scene: 

While in the woods behind their former High School, Matt let's Mavis hear some much needed truth about her failed attempt at moving on. 

Favorite Quote: 

"Why don't you use my crutch again as a metaphor? That was brilliant. That was masterful. Or no, save it for your little teenage stories because God knows you don't know s--- about being an adult!"

Review: 

Young Adult is an interesting movie. It is very entertaining, incredibly simple, but overall, a great film for those individuals we know who just refuse to grow up. We all know the type -  the superficial, materialistic, shallow person that somehow still dwells on college and/or high school.

Charlize Theron does a great job in her role as the irresponsible and still searching for happiness, Mavis Gary. The depiction of her character is spot on, as Theron does a great job of making the Mavis character confused, obsessed, and crazy, with a little hint of making the viewer have sympathy for her.

Also, Patton Oswalt, always perfect in his role as the adult geek (See: Big Fan or even King of Queens), does so again as Matt, who has to live with baggage from the past, but has found ways to move on.

Young Adult is not a blockbuster must-see, but is a simple and solid movie that should be recommended for those "young adults" that refuse to grow up.

Grade: 3/5

Recently Read

Dome Pondering Move Review: Say You Will (2017)

What is it about? A recent high school graduate cares for his mother while attempting to navigate his first relationship following his father's suicide.  Who is in it? Travis Tope - Sam Nimitz Katherine Hughes - Ellie Vaughn Favorite Scene: [spoiler alert] Sam plays his song for his mom. Favorite Quote: Ellie: "I wish we could have met down the road, maybe when we were like 27." Sam: "I think we needed each other now." Review:  Say You Will was an absolutely pleasant surprise of a watch from the Amazon Prime offerings.  I wasn't exactly sure what to expect with this one, but after the credits rolled, it was a movie that provided authentic characters and a great lesson on life. We don't always have to have everything figured out, and it's okay if you don't.  What makes Say You Will so beautiful is that all of the characters are carrying some inner struggle that connects them in the moment and time that helps them through whatever it is. The unlike...

The Pondering 10 - Most Fascinating Things of 2025

2025 sure did ebb and flow.  Is it just me, or did August through December zoom by? Nonetheless, we are at that time of the year again, which brings about some common traditions around these parts - the Pondering 10 Most Fascinating Things of the Year, and then the Dome Pondering Year in Review .  (Most Fascinating Things: 2015 , 2016 , 2017 , 2018 , 2019 , 2020 , 2021 ,  2022 , 2023 , & 2024 ) Life really presented itself in unique ways this year, with a sense of a deeper layer of belonging and purpose, more so than what society has reflected since the pandemic. 2025 brought a deeper understanding of life through war, disaster, politics, the human spirit, and appreciation, among other things.  We'll get into that in the Year in Review.  For now, let's run it! Here is my Most Fascinating Things list for 2025: --- 10. Marjorie Taylor Greene Oh yeah, we're going there. MJT makes the very end of the list with a recent change in political positioning. I find it ...

Dome Pondering - 2025 Year in Review

2025 brought depth and growth.  In many ways, 2025 provided so many challenges and opportunities, allowing for a deeper, more layered approach to the world we live in. Our world is changing, and often, not for the better. Over the last 365 days, life has been more complex, more exhausting, and is asking so much more of us through these transitions and nuances than it did 365 days ago.  No big deal, right?  But hey, you're here. We're here. And we're going into 2026 much stronger, whether we realize it or not. But before we do, let's bid adieu to 2025.  As always, I'm incredibly gratefu l to those of you who still visit this little speck of the internet that houses my thoughts, rambles, and learnings. Thank you for taking a break from instant dopamine hits and videos, and likely the much cooler options of prepared content and indulging my humbled words. It is much appreciated.  It's the 20th annual - TWENTY YEARS of doing this! - Dome Pondering Year in Review. Le...