Watched: September 18th 2010
Sex has now unleashed itself on pop culture by implementing itself into advertisements, movies, song lyrics and T.V. shows alike. There has also been an inundation of sharing information via the use of the internet/facebook and txting. When these two combine, things can get a little crazy. Easy A, a smart new movie starring Zombieland’s Emma Stone, takes an interesting stance in exploring the effects of the sexual obsession sweeping the nation and the role it plays in the lives of young adults. The film explores touchy subjects through snappy comedy; it shines as a genre rarity: a smart teen movie.
The film tells the story of a young woman named Olive. She’s a high school-nobody with sharp wit, charming sarcasm, and an extreme streak of sympathy. After accidentally starting a rumor that she slept with a college guy, Olive starts to reach out to other nobodies who just want to get their names on the social network map. She does this by letting them say they’ve slept with her—or engaged in lesser levels of physical endeavors, depending on what they pay her. The rumors spiral out of control, but rather than denying them Olive embraces the identity she’s crafted and completely commits to playing “the slut”. As things get more complicated Olive has to decide whether the sacrifices she made were really the right thing to do or not.
For a little guidance Olive turns to The Scarlett Letter—because ironically it’s the book she’s reading in her English class. The famous novel tells the tale of a woman forced to wear a red “A” after committing adultery and it describes the results of her persecution. Olive updates the classic story by vamping up her wardrobe and proudly sporting a crimson “A”. But, she similarly discovers how being labeled as a tramp results in the world ostracizing you. The heroine of The Scarlett Letter finds redemption and in her own unique way, Olive does too.
The movie also alludes to the engaging work of John Hughes—who famously directed hit 80’s teen movies like The Breakfast Club and Ferris Bueller’s Day Off. The reference is perfect since Hughes’ legacy is grounded in his ability to perfectly capture the issues adolescents were facing back then. Director Will Gluck has accomplished a similar feat with Easy A. Current trends and social phenomenons are perfectly embedded into the story. The movie explores topics such as the ability of one txt message to become a ubiquitous broadcast, choosing infamy as a form of popularity, religion’s reaction to sexual exploitations and the difficulty in standing up for who you are when high school expects you to play by its rules (particularly in regards to sexual orientation).
Despite these heavy themes the movie is a joy to watch. Stone has Juno-esque dialogue, with her own edgy kick, that she delivers with knockout timing. Olive’s relationship with her parents (Patricia Clarkson and Stanley Tucci) is endearing and hilarious. Tucci’s straight-face deliveries and Clarkson’s playful jibes make the family scenes stand out. Aly Michalka and Amanda Bynes also provide amusing supporting roles that add a jolt of catty high school drama, giving the movie a simple dash of sweet and sour.
So, if you’re looking for an entertaining, clever comedy look no further than Easy A, it’s a feel-good movie that’s perfect for our generation.
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