Academy Award winner Charlize Theron plays Mavis Gary, a writer of teen literature who returns to her small hometown to relive her glory days and attempt to reclaim her happily married high school sweetheart (Patrick Wilson). When returning home proves more difficult than she thought, Mavis forms an unusual bond with a former classmate (Patton Oswalt) who hasn't quite gotten over high school, either.
Critic Reviews:
- " It's a mission both terrifying and absurd, and Academy Award-winning writer Diablo Cody (teaming up again with Juno director Jason Reitman) milks it for both in her hilarious, insightful script. " – Felicia Feaster (Charleston City Paper)
- " Somehow, the film is very enjoyable – most likely because it has Cody's sense of humor and celebration of human shortcomings. " – Anna Bean (Bust Magazine)
- " You sense the teeth-chattering chill almost as deeply as you admire the bravery of a pitch-black performance by Theron that begs nothing but contempt for her scurrilous Mavis Gary. " – David Thomson (The New Republic)