Easy going. Refreshing change from the high-school life theme/genre comedy

Rating: 7/10 (5 March 2011)

For a high-school comedy genre movie it's better than most; in fact not bad. If you are looking for a movie with the classic high-school gags and romping or if you expect it, get ready for a surprise, not a really big surprise but one nonetheless.
I'm often suspicious of movies with narration by the key character; mostly my suspicions are not founded and the narrated movies turn out just right. Emma Stone delivers a very good narration throughout all the film; I presume she took on the narration part seriously because the movie simply would not have the spark it does without it. Sometimes it's as if she was in the same room telling only to me the background thoughts and at other points in the movie, it's as if she was on stage reciting the story. Mostly the narration lets us in on what the main character's thinking.
This is a light comedy with some class compared to other similarly themed movies. It's not a masterpiece but it is entertaining and does not make me feel stupid for having watched it.
The cast is made up of other fine actors I like such as my favourite couple Stanley Tucci and Patricia Clarkson. Stanley Tucci seems to play well with all his co-stars but Patricia Clarkson and him make a perfect on screen couple; she is in real life a good friend of Stanley. If you've seen the 2007 movie 'Blind Date' you understand and would agree. The cast includes also actors who you could not possibly ignore like Malcolm McDowell, Thomas Haden Church to name a few.
They bring the movie's quality up several notches as Stanley Tucci always does. Luckily, the dialogue has sufficient good parts to offset the ones that aren't as much and Emma Stone does an excellent job delivering her lines. Digging for a compromise one word recap I'd have to say it was cute.
If you hate this movie genre, and you are not alone, this movie can't be lumped with the ones that lead you to that judgement. If you simply don't care for the genre or if it leaves you indifferent, well watching it just might change that; it does not for me but give it a try. If you like the genre, watch all or most of the ones that come out, and if you can't get enough of them you may be disappointed because it's not for dumbasses. It's in the middle range of the movie lovers likes and dislikes. The 7.2 Rating at the time of this review reflects the people's appreciation; it seems a fair rating for me.