Tom Reviews "Easy A"

Tom's Corner:

Easy A
(2010, Will Gluck)

Wow.

I have to make a little confession here. I have a tendency to avoid most popular movies, as they seem to be an intellectual void. Simply put, it is my honest contention that every...say, “Salt,” starring that over-endowed about the labia oris area actress Angelina Jolie, cause points to drop off your IQ like dominoes collapsing. That said, one of the few movies I actually WANTED to see was “Easy A,” starring the insanely talented Emma Stone. And guess what?

It now ranks as one of the best movies I saw in 2010.

Why was “Easy A” so great? Let's do the checklist:

1. Great cast. Emma Stone (remember her in “Superbad”, “Zombieland”, and “The Rocker”?) is totally believable as misunderstood, nigh invisible high school student, Olive Penderghast, who tells one lie and gets rocketed to infamy. Aly Michalka (who has done so much Disney she should have a mouse ears tramp stamp...don't look at me, it's how Walt's people identify their kids), as Rhi, her best friend, did a superb job. Marianne (on again, off again retiree Amanda Bynes), is the Christian kid you love to hate, who makes sure that everyone hears the lies going around school and runs a group of equally annoying Christian kids, including Micah (Cam Gigandet), her dumb as a rock boyfriend. Penn Badgley played Woodchuck Todd, the school mascot and Olive's crush. He didn't get much screen time, but turned in a fine performance. Thomas Haden Church and Lisa Kudrow play married teacher/guidance counselor couple Mr. & Mrs. Griffith. It's always nice to see Church, but Kudrow, gave one of the most impressive performances I have EVER seen her give. Rounding out the cast are Patricia Clarkson and Stanley Tucci as Olive's wacky and cool parents. I really have never seen such cool parents in a movie.

2. Great plot. Mirroring The Scarlet Letter (not the Demi version, the book), the plot goes to some places you just don't expect it to. Olive is well spoken and smart...almost too smart to get herself into the situation she does. But she does get into it, and the fun of the movie is watching how deep she'll go before she finds her way out. The witty banter flies quick in this movie, and you have to have a certain frame of reference to understand it. Knowledge of some pop culture is recommended.

3. Great Metaphors. Some of the scenes feature some wonderfully unexpected touches, but none grabbed me so much as the scenes in the various houses of worship. Olive, in tears and looking for solace, flings herself into the confessional. She starts speaking, rapidly, confessing everything she's done...and gets no response. When she opens the window dividing her from the priest...no one is there. What a delicious commentary on religion. Later, she enters another church, and begins to speak to the pastor...only to find out he's the father of her tormentor, Marianne.

In closing, Emma Stone is one of the best of the current crop of actors making movies today. I wish her unlimited success and happiness in movies, and will be looking forward to her starring in more movies.

This is my pick for best movie I've seen in 2010. I loved it, and I hope you will get it and love it too.

SPECIAL FEATURES:

• Gag Reel
• Emma Stone's audition footage
• Commentary with director Will Gluck and Emma Stone