The past few year Emma Stone has been hard at work making a name for herself in Hollywood. She played in Superbad, Paper Man and Zombieland. With Easy A she gets the chance to show if she has enough talent to carry the weight of a whole movie.
In Easy A she’s Olive Penderghast, a normal girl who spends a lot of time with her friend Rhiannon (Alyson Michalka) and does ok at school. Rhiannon’s parents are a bit weird and when they invite Olive to join them for a weekend in the country she tells Rhiannon that she can’t go as she has a date.
After the weekend Rhiannon ask her about the date and whether or not she slept with the guy. Olive decides to lie about it and confirms that she has. She doesn’t know that Marianne (Amanda Bynes) is listening in and it only takes a few minutes before everyone at school knows about it. It’s the first time that Olive is the center of attention.
She doesn’t mind all the attention and quite enjoys it. She decides to abuse the rumor about her and starts acting like she’s an easy girl.
The story is told by Olive directly to the viewer through a webcam and is shown through flashbacks. So you get an idea what is about to happen, but don’t know the exact details yet. It’s a very effective way of telling the story and by using this method it all feels very modern and intimate. Olive talks directly to the audience (similar to iCarly), which drags you into the story and the funny situations she ends up in.
Of course the story shows the typical high school situation, where the rivalry between the girls is the funniest. Amanda Bynes plays her role as religious leader of a small group of students exquisitely. Her way of acting will definitely make you laugh.The movie has some other actors in some smaller roles. Unfortunately Lisa Kudrow (who also played in Paper Man) again does not convince and it seems she just isn’t able to shake her Phoebe character, which starts to annoy after seeing her in various other films.
The movie has some nice references to other eighties romantic comedies. It also references The Scarlett Letter (1926), which explains the red A Olive has on her clothes. Easy A doesn’t get an A from me, but it is a very entertaining film with a lot of funny situations. Emma Stone is confident in her role and really shows what she is capable of. I’m really looking forward to seeing her in other movies.
Score: 8
Also read:
Paper Man (2009) with Emma Stone
Emma Stone is excellent in Easy A and the movie itself is a pleasant time all around although it doesn’t reach the greatness of teen movies like Mean Girls or Clueless. Stanley Tucci and Patricia Clarkson are an absolute riot together!
I have not seen those other movies you mention, but if I spot them cheaply, I will give them a chance.
Her parents are quite witty and hilarious. AND So is Emma Stone for that matter, I can’t wait to see her in Spider Man 3. This is one of my faves now.
Yeah, they were the world’s most understanding and supportive parents and were quite funny. Didn’t know that Emma Stone was a natural blond, so was surprised by the pictures, but am looking forward to that movie.
One of the best teen comedies of 2010 if not the best. I love watching Emma Stone, she’s dazzling and already became my new fave young actress.
Glad to hear that I’m not the only one thinking that she can become the next big actress.
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