once in a lifetime casting ...

Rating: 10/10 (23 February 2014)

... makes for a once in a lifetime film. Forget all that stuff about bringing the Scarlet Letter into modern times. It's noise. Pay attention to the fact that, despite the major success of this film, Emma Stone (who was technically in her 20s when this was filmed and therefore "playing younger") has no aspirations to become a teen idol nor get her own Disney show. What makes this film special -- aside from a script to die for and a superb portrayal by Stone, showing no strain whatsoever under the burden of dual duty, that is, both acting and doing a first person narrative, like Bogey in a filme noire -- is the simple fact that Stone will not be reprising this role (or anything similar) in either her lifetime or yours. And that is special. That's makes this film not only a one-of but also one of the best "smart comedies" ever, irregardless of age or audience.